Less Than We Deserve - Ezra 9:13
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INTRODUCTION
Most people fail to realize that when man sins, he sins against God. For this reason, man deserves the severest of judgments from his holy and just Creator. Because of our sin, each of us deserves to suffer eternally, along with suffering troubles continually in this life. Although no person is excluded from troubles, saints have historically understood that God extends mercy as He divvies out life’s trials. Ezra declared this truth by saying, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this” (Ezra 9:13And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
See All...). David testified the same truth when he said, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): The following people deserved death for their sin, but God was merciful: Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21-24 [21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
See All...); Jacob (Genesis 32:10I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
See All...); David (2 Samuel 12:13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
See All...). Take note that God has also been merciful to each of us (Lamentations 3:21-23 [21] This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [22] It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
See All...; Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
See All...; Titus 3:5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
See All...). - (For everyone): Think back to some of the things that you have done contrary to righteous living. What do you deserve? How could you testify with the psalmist that God has not dealt with you after your sins?
- Has God been good to you? Have you been a partaker of His grace and mercy? Have you thanked Him for His goodness?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank the Lord for His mercy.
- Thank God for the trials you are allowed to endure for Him.
HYMN
AMAZING GRACE
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