surrounded by mercy

What does it mean to be blessed?
Many in the world might say...
​to have possessions, things, or success.

But the bible tells us that it is...
to be fortunate, happy, prosperous
and favored by God.

Sometimes that may include things,
but most of the time it is simply
an attitude of the heart.

Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2 NKJV

For the Lord is eager to forgive a contrite heart.
He longs to have a relationship
with us when we come seeking his face...
rather than simply His hand
and all He can give to us.

I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
which have no understanding,
which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
else they will not come near you.
Psalm 32:8-9

He is eager to share with us
the best way our lives can be lived...
to guide us, and give direction.

But we often, like the mule,
will tug and pull, a battle of the will.
This is not the way He prefers.

But he who trusts in the Lord,
mercy shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 32:10-11

I like the sound of that...
Surrounded by mercy!
That sure does seem secure.
Like a wonderful way to live.

It says, if I trust in the Lord,
I will be surrounded by His mercy!

So how do I go about this...
trusting in the Lord?
How do I get this right?
The verse says I need to...
be glad in the Lord,
rejoice,
and shout for joy.

Hmmmm...
I admit that I honestly don't wake
naturally wanting to...
feeling like it, jumping for joy.

And I actually think,
that's the hardest part of life.
I guess that's why they call it...
trusting God.

Because even when I wake up
NOT feeling like it...
even when stuff is
rough,
painful,
ugly,
dark,
scary,
intimidating,
frustrating,
lacking, and
downright hard...
God still wants me to
be glad,
rejoice,
and shout for joy.

Because those things show outwardly
to others that I am trusting Him inwardly.

Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Word of God,
train me, today...
to be glad, rejoice and shout for joy... even when I don't feel like it,
to live a life that trusts You, Lord, that I may be surrounded by Your mercy.

Lord God,
help me in this day
to be glad,
to rejoice
and to shout for joy.

I give thanks to You
even when my circumstances
do not look sunny,
for You are above them
and know the outcome.

You are outside of them
and know the best for me.

You are at the end of them
and know I will survive them.

You are my joy
and that gives me strength
to press on.

Thank You for
surrounding me with mercy
​today!