2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Wednesday, July 29
Psalm 145:8-13
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
“… 8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. …”
This verse appears multiple times in Scripture. From the Exodus story to Nehemiah, from Jonah to the Psalms, the grace, mercy, and steadfast love of God are partnered with God’s exceeding patience. Again and again, the Bible portrays God the Almighty as always seeking to look beyond that which separates humanity from God, responding instead with forgiveness, love, and mercy.
Recognizing the abundant love of God gives us courage as followers of Jesus. After all, if God’s mercy dominates and pervades our lives, we can do the work of the Lord with vigor and enthusiasm trusting that, when we make a mistake, the slowness of God’s anger and the steadfastness of God’s graciousness will prevail.
So too, when we speak to others about our relationship with the Lord, we can turn to the many places in Scripture where these words are repeated. In that way, others will recognize that God’s mercy and graciousness are not onetime gifts. Rather, in many and all circumstances of the people of Israel, the slowness of God’s anger and the abundance of God’s grace overcame their missteps, failures, and trespasses. What was true for ancient Israel is also true for us.
In other words, not only do these words of Scripture give comfort, encouragement, and hope for the people of the Bible, they do so for us today as well.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Your grace and mercy, slowness to anger and steadfast love. May these words inspire me this day to be courageous in giving witness to Your glory and love. Amen.