Mercy 2: Outrageous Mercy and a Special Gift

“Have mercy.” Have you heard that said? Or said it yourself? In a world full of vengeance, God offers mercy and forgiveness. This is devotional #2 for the June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day, to help us pray for our prodigals and for wanderers all over the globe. Our theme this year is Mercy. Whether or not you love a prodigal, surely you desire more mercy in your life.

I love words. I love discovering—and using--new words. Words are treasures to find and share. Sometimes I take sneaky pleasure in using words most people won’t know—true confession.

I have no artistic or musical gifts. Math and science escape me. Engineering is incomprehensible to my mind.

But words. I can tell a story, weave a dream, preach a sermon…. Some of my favorite words are used to describe my God—and how He feels about me and you:

Reckless love—that called the Son of God from heaven to become the Son of Man on earth.

Furious longing—for me, to know me, to be with me, to love me. True for you as well, and your loved prodigal. (Thanks Brennan Manning, for this phrase.)

Relentless pursuit—that never gives up seeking to find and woo and win all of us, including those much-loved wanderers.

Lavish generosity—that gave it all and continues to give and give. We have been so gifted!

Extravagant grace—that flows over and in every crevice of my life and your life, enables us to live through this wilderness journey, and never runs dry or quits running after our prodigals.

Scandalous sacrifice—that God would die in our place that we might live with Him forever. Truly unimaginable!

Outrageous mercy—that forgives the guilt of all the sins of one so reprehensible and unworthy as I. And, of course, mercy for you and your loved one. Our God loves mercy.

I am undone by this God. On my face. Inadequately grateful.

What are your favorite words to describe God? What has He whispered in your ear as you cry out for your prodigal?

Totally undone,
Judy Douglass

P.S. I have a very special gift for you: a bottle for your tears. I know you have shed many tears for your loved one. A friend has a ministry called Bottle of Tears:

Bottle of Tears is a curated gift service through which friends can share comfort with one another by sending gifts of hope.

(Read more about it here.)

I am giving away two of these bottles (see photo above) so two of you can “capture your tears for the Lord to save.” To be entered in the drawing, which will be done May 24, comment on this post and tell me you will be praying for prodigals on the June 2 Prodigal Prayer Day.

Here is the promised merciful music for this week: Your Mercy by Elevation Worship.

And this week on my podcast we begin a series on Grace: Make Your Mistakes on the Side of Grace.