Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1

When my children were young, they frequently objected to what they saw as unfair treatment — a household chore, an early bedtime, or a punishment they viewed as too harsh. Their protest of “It’s not fair!” was usually met with our response: “FAIR is a four- letter word, and we don’t use those in this family.” But as adults, we see that bad things happen to good people every day. Isn’t God supposed to be fair and just with us? Why doesn’t he treat us as we deserve? When we look at ourselves in the light of God’s law, we see we deserve his wrath, punishment, and even death itself. But God has shown mercy in his Son, Jesus, who kept God’s law and died in our place. Instead of our sinfulness, God sees Jesus’ righteousness. That’s not fair; that’s grace.

Eileen Ritter
Byron Center, MI

Heavenly Father, you have not treated us as we deserve. Thank you for your mercy through your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Reflect: Churches use “Lord, have mercy” as a response. Where else do we say this prayer?

Read: Psalm 51 and Matthew 20:29-34