Dear Redeeming Grace,

A wonderful truth was brought to my attention today from Psalm 40, and it is this:

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Psalm 40:11 ESV)

Mercy is a term referred to in the Old Testament as "the deep, tender feeling of compassion that was awakened by the trouble, weakness, suffering, or vulnerability of another in need of help." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 3 pg. 322)

What a beautiful picture of how God relates to us in our troubles and weakness. He doesn't look on in distaste or frustration, waiting for us to get it together. Instead he draws near in compassion to preserve us in faithful love. He never withholds his mercy from us in our need. It's simply not in his character.

Believer, know that in whatever suffering or need you find yourself in this week, God is with you in tender compassion, holding you faithfully, and full of unrestrained mercy.