• Work — We work hard for some of those blessings…like Jacob did in wrestling with God.

• Freely – We receive many blessings from God without our effort, because of the work of our Lord Jesus. 

• Mercifully – When we sin – as Peter had, God has mercy on us in Christ and forgives, renews, and refocuses us in our work for Him.

He shows mercy to the ungrateful. He sent His Son to pay our sin debt. He sent His Son to serve, not to be served.

It is sometimes difficult to see the silver lining, to see God’s gracious hand in difficult times.  Our Scripture readings help us to do just that…In Exile – The exiled people of Judah would one day rejoice to learn that they were returning to their homes…we rejoice in the most difficult times knowing that heaven is our home. True Repentance – It is embarrassing when we are led into sin; but it is cause for rejoicing when the Spirit leads us to sorrow over sin and trust in Jesus for forgiveness. Evil Times – No matter how evil this world becomes, we keep on ‘eating’ Jesus’ Word and are strengthened and comforted for life apart from sin and death…which is surely coming to us in Christ.

We live in a time when very few value human life.  Some would kill unborn children. Others have killed only because of the ethnic background of the other. The Lord God values every human life and sends us to speak of His Son, that others may be saved for eternal life. The LORD God sent Jeremiah to the capital of the unfaithful nation of Judah to foretell destruction.  God’s purpose was that they repent of their sin and return to Him. The Lord Jesus’ disciple Peter calls upon us to turn from sin and return to the Savior, preparing our hearts by looking to Jesus. Jesus refused to be distracted from saving sinners…for He came to save people’s lives…not destroy them.

It was God’s Mercy that did not abandon the unfaithful Israelites…but instead promised to go with them.  So also, even as Moses could not see God’s Face and live, so we cannot stand in the presence of God except in Christ. It was God’s Mercy that made those to whom John wrote…God’s Children and kept them in faith and made them strong with His Word. It was God’s Mercy that enabled 70 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom and cast out demons.  It is His mercy that has written our names in the Book of Life.