Actually, I have been picking an anchor verse for the year since 2005, when I began sending out Holiday Letters to all my friends and relatives. It just seemed like a fitting way to end the letter each year (sort of a subtle witness on what God had been teaching me at the present time.)
Most years, my anchor scripture would deal with the subject of God's love for me as an individual. This has always been an area where I've been weak. I have no problem believing God is love, and that He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us. I have more problem comprehending that He loves me, Jerri, in spite of my many mess-ups.
This year, I looked at one of my favorite scriptures in a different way:
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him." Psalm 103:11
Think about it! The heavens stretch millions of miles above us. When astronauts orbited the earth or went to the moon, they didn't report back: "Ut-oh! I see where the heavens end." His love fills all that space!
Recently, I realized there were two parts to that verse: not only is His love limitless, but so is His mercy! Hallelujah!
Maybe I'm a slow learner, but I am so thankful that He has mercy for me, even when I have to learn the same lesson over again ... and again.
That's why Psalm 103:11 is my anchor verse for 2009 -- I need to be reminded of His love and mercy all year long.
Jeri - I love the idea of including your verse in your Christmas letter. What a great idea! If I sent out Christmas cards I would definitely do that! I stopped doing it one year when my depression was really bad and I haven't gotten back into Christmas cards since. Oh well. Thank you for this word picture. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love this verse. I wrote a post a while ago about how I think that we forget that even though God is Love we are suppose to "reverently and worshipfully fear Him". Not in a bad way but he is almighty. I respect the power.
ReplyDeleteMy Anchor Verses were more about Him helping me this year too. Isn't it amazing that we can be strong and know God but have a hard time taking that for ourselves. Jerri, we got to get better. He loves us too. :)
Thanks for pointing out that we must reverently and worshipfully fear Him. That's so true, Teresa! He definitely deserves our respect. There is so much to that scripture to ponder on!
ReplyDeleteThey didn't report that they saw where the heavens end. Good point! *grin*
ReplyDeleteI, too, am thankful for His unending mercy, because I'm a slow learner like you.