“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” – Psalm 103:8 

Scripture reading: Psalm 103:1-22

Three strands of God’s character are intertwined together to form one divine powerful cord. Mercy refers to the compassion of God. He looks upon us as a Father who has compassion for his children (13). With Fatherly compassion, the Lord extends His grace to us, forgiving our iniquity (3), redeeming our lives from the pit of sin and misery, crowning us with steadfast love and mercy (4), and separating our sins from us an immeasurable distance (12).

He does not deal with us according to our sins or repay us according to our iniquities (10). Instead, in the ultimate act of grace, God sent His Son, Christ Jesus, to be our sin-bearer. And the Son came willingly, even though it required the sacrifice of His life, which is the pinnacle of love, for “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Yet Jesus laid down His life for us while we were sinners, living in animosity against Him, and by nature objects of God’s righteous and proper wrath because of our transgressions (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-3).

Such steadfast love is truly astounding! It is a love that is “from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him” and is extended one generation to another (17); it calls us to be faithful to Him who has loved unlovable sinners with a steadfast, eternal love. No wonder David ends the Psalm the same way he begins it: “Bless – (Praise) – the LORD, O my soul!”

Suggestions for prayer

Praise the Lord with all your soul – with your entire being. Ask Him to keep you faithful to His covenant and commandments (18), with Biblical fear (17) which includes reverent awe and wonder, praise and adoration for God’s mercy, grace, and steadfast love.

Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.