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Grace Magazine | By Women for Women | Fall 2014 6 God's Compassionate Mercies & Love for Us By Mildred M. Stokes Had it not been for Him we would not be. This sentiment holds true whether we are consciously aware of it or not. Even when we take credit for what does not belong to us, God's great faithfulness overrides our misgivings. We remain blessed through the abundance of His grace. What can we learn about the Lord's mercies? In Lamentations 3:23, we are reminded that His mercies "are new every morning." When we seek Him with our whole heart, we have this assurance. There is no need to worry ourselves about what God will do. He is faithful and executes justice in truth. He reigns and His will shall be done on earth as in heaven. Psalm 145 reminds us repeatedly of the greatness of our Holy God. In the majesty of His love, the God we serve is slow to anger. He is giving, gracious, compassionate and abundant in tender mercies. We learn how He is able to uphold and preserve us whenever doubt or besetting sins cause us to stumble. God rescues us as He reaches into the depth of our circumstances and draws out a greater hope in Him. The mercies of God manifest His greatness and love. All good things are provided by His hand. Because God knows each of us well, we are not hidden from Him. He sees us and He cares. In Psalm 145: 18-19, we are reminded: "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them." The abundance of God's gift of redemptive mercies invites submission, praise and service to others. We are accountable to Christ Jesus, our High Priest, who hears our petitions at the throne of grace. We are assured that God seeks those whose heart is set on godly fear of Him. Greater clarity and comfort comes to us in our time of need for He directs us. This is confirmed, just as our Lord lights the path for our eternal rest into His everlasting kingdom, as referenced in Heb. 4:12- 16 and 2 Peter 1:2-11. It is comforting to know that in our weakness, God gives us strength and a song in our heart. When we look closely at our times of unrest, it is comforting to know that they come with an end date. It is only a test. And yes, there is humanly good reason to lament over the circumstances. Yet by this very thing, the breakthrough that is sure to follow will establish a testimony of our faith and reveal the presence of God's power operating in our lives. The yoke of burdens is broken. The shackles of low self-esteem, crippling doubt and fear fall away. You shall rise as victor and offer up highest praise to the glory of God! He will be well- pleased with your adoration of the splendor of His absolute love, grace and mercy. There is a truth that must be highlighted inspirational