Mercy is followed by something special: restoration. Our lives are often characterized by times when things are out of order. Our merciful God is all about restoration — getting things back into a right relationship with God and with others.

As a young man living far from home, I drifted from God. While I maintained a casual prayer life, I was going through the motions. I let things into my life that were inconsistent with my faith. One afternoon, a stranger stopped by my house and shared that God had urged him to come and see me. He talked a little about his faith and his strong feeling that God had good plans for me.

In hindsight, this awkward interaction was mercy-filled. God was welcoming me, undeserving, into a restored and right relationship. I remember feeling pretty joyful. What about you? Do you need to welcome restoration today? Joy awaits.

By Bill Ogletree from D365