December 21 | Tender Mercies
Luke 1:77-79 (NLT)
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.”
God’s tender mercies are his waiting on us, waiting patiently for us to see the fulfillment of his promises. When we read scripture and it says they are sitting in darkness in the shadow or death – wow!
It reminds me of when I was a little girl, there was a radio program called, “The Shadow Knows.” So at 6 years old, there was already a false fear that came every Sunday night at 6pm. Well, that program doesn’t exist any longer, but many other evil challenges and programs have replaced it.
Let’s look at the shadows and darkness today. Consider our words. We need to ask these questions: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Does it speak light, or a shadow to an unbeliever?
The Shadow doesn’t know! It’s no more than a reflection or casted image of the sin or person it projects. Yet that Darkness is real; think not? You lose something when the lights are out!
Yet to anyone sitting in darkness, it’s never too late. There’s promised remission of sins through the tender mercies of our God – God waits for us. He did it for me, and I kept him waiting 40 years. A human probably would have given up – but God didn’t!
God forgives us of what we have done, and gives direction to do better in the time to come.
We are so blessed to have that promise of a Savior both in and out of the Christmas season.
~Libby McMillan