Hope Shack

“There were only three ways out: insanity, incarceration, or the grave.”   – excerpt from Scott’s Story

“And I could just remember looking at my mother’s face and seeing the disgust and the shame. ” – excerpt from Family Restored

 “I was now risking everything in my life.  Self-respect, family, friendships, reputation, and trust.  All for some fantasy life.” – excerpt from John’s Story

“I had really messed up. I didn’t deserve His help.  Guilt and shame now compounded the hurt and loss that I already felt. ” – excerpt from Hope?  Nope.  All out of That.

Many of us have a rescue story like these refernced here.  Mine is one of them.  Some are more dramatic that others, telling of the damage we’ve caused or pain we have endured, and some are simpler redirects to bring us back from traveling the wrong path.  All require some level of surrender on our parts, as we recognize how desperate our situations have become.

Today’s promise reminds us of how much God loves each one of us.  

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loves us,”  – Ephesians 2:4

He knows all that we’ve done.  He knows everyone that we have ever hurt.  He knows everything we’ve taken for our own gain; the lies, the  unfaithfulness,  the stolen moments, the indulgence.  He also knows our backstories.  He knows what drove us to that place, who hurt us, how we were treated, or maybe the losses we feel.   He already knows.  When we reach for Him, He’s already there.  He knows what we deserve, and He knows what we don’t deserve.   That’s where Mercy comes in.

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

God shows His love for us through his mercy towards us.  While we are still caught up in whatever led us to the point of despair, He inserts mercy, right when we deserve it the least.   Jesus Christ took the hit for each one of our sins, when He died on the Cross.  He took the punishments we deserve so that we don’t have to.  Why?   Because God loves each of us that much.  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

The stories referenced above are from some among us that have already experienced that mercy, and been forgiven when we didn’t deserve it.    If that isn’t you, and you’re still in a desperate place, know that His Mercy is available to each of us.  That includes you.  That includes me.   Jesus took the punishment for all of our sins, every one of us.  He already knows our hearts.   If any of us need to experience His mercy in our lives, and we haven’t asked for that help or forgiveness for what we’ve done, we can use the prayer in today’s journal page to do that now.   If you do, please share your story with us.  You are not alone.

You can DOWNLOAD and PRINT today’s journal page HERE.

 

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 What is it you’re facing?  Nobody goes into battle alone.  We can stand with you.  Let us know in the comments below how we can pray for you, or by submitting your story.  

He will fight for you.