June 5

2 Samuel 23:24-24:25, Acts 3:1-26, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 16:21-23 

Pray: Lord, in today’s readings there is a beautiful picture of Your mercy. David cries out for Your mercy and trusts in Your mercy over the injustice of man. We see Your mercy working among the crippled man who Peter heals. May we look for evidences of Your mercy today as we pray, “Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning.”

Read:  “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

¹⁵ So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel that morning, and it lasted for three days.  A total of 70,000 people died throughout the nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. ¹⁶ But as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” Again we read of the Lord showing mercy. David knows that if it is between relying on the Lord for mercy or other men, he will choose the Lord.

Edify: ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene get up and walk!”

⁷ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. ⁸ He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them." The theme of mercy continues as Peter shares the love of Christ with the lame man and offers him an undeserved gift.

Practice: May we practice the mercy of God in our lives today both in word and in deed. The proverb today says “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." We must remember that we can be merciful with our actions and with our words. A kind word or sometimes restraining our mouths can be an act of mercy.