Mercy

DEVOTION
ROMANS
MERCY
Rom 11:28-32
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
NIV
I cannot understand how I could ever forget God having mercy on me. Not just so many years ago, when I first accepted Jesus as my Savior, but each and every day. I suppose if I had become some perfect human being, living a life completely without even a trace of sin in my being, I would not need His mercy anymore. But that is simply not the case. This life I live is extremely complicated in some sense in regards to relationships with others. Some consider me an enemy, others a friend, and still others a loved one. I am looked upon as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a teacher, a student, a preacher or pastor. I am seen as a leader and a follower. Some consider me a know it all, others admire my knowledge of the Word. Some perceive me to a righteous man; others might well perceive me as self righteous. This is but a brief self examination of the complicated relational quagmire I find myself in. All of which is important, but meaningless in compared to being one who has received mercy from God. Could I live without all those relationships? I surely would not want to, but I think I actually could. Would I be lonely? I truly think so, but I still would have my own interests to busy myself with. Once I actually thought I was an Island, that I did not need anyone, nor wanted to be available to anyone, that I was self sustaining. How wrong could I have been? I so need others in my life, but most of all I need Jesus. Thank you Lord for showing me mercy.