In the Word: Father of Mercies
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be meditating on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. As we study the truths found in these verses together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God’s Word each week with us!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:5
READ:
The old Swedish hymn, Day by Day, was written in 1865 by Lina Sandell after she witnessed the death of her father as he tragically drowned after falling overboard on a boating trip. In her hymn, Lina points our hearts again and again to the abundant mercies of God:
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Ev’ry day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”–
This the pledge to me he made.
We need not despair what tomorrow may bring, because the resources God grants us for today are not meant to bear tomorrow’s burdens. Today’s mercies are for today’s sorrows. Each morning, the Father of mercies greets us with the precise resources we will need for that day. Let us lift our eyes to the Lord and bless Him for His abundance, compassionate provision.
Dear one, as deep as your affliction is, His mercies are deeper still. In the midst of sleepless nights, endless tears, arms aching with emptiness, and unspeakable sorrow, your Father of mercies draws near, bestowing you with His strength, kindness, love, and protection. All your cares He gladly bears.
REFLECT:
- What habits help you cultivate a sense of wonder at God’s mercies?
- What steps can you take to focus your heart on the mercies God has granted for today’s sorrows instead of worrying about what tomorrow will bring?
- Ashlee
Hope Mom to Simeon and Odelle
Ashlee is the Editorial Coordinator for Hope Mommies and author of their I AM, Identity, and Sojourn Bible studies. She and her husband, Jesse, live in Milwaukee with their children—five on earth and two in heaven.
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