But I Deserve It!

So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.

Hebrews 4:16 (CEV)

Finish this sentence: “I deserve ______.”

People say this phrase a lot. I deserve ice cream after finishing a tough workout; I deserve to make the team after practicing so hard; I deserve to be heard; I deserve the trophy; I deserve to be loved. We think because of the things we do or just because of who we are, we have earned things.

The truth is that we are all sinners. We make choices that we know are wrong and will hurt God and others. These actions are not from the one holy God. They are from the enemy, Satan. Because we choose to do these things, we deserve punishment. Justice in the face of a holy God calls for us to be held accountable for all our ugly thoughts, stubbornness, arrogance, pride, temper, and the list goes on.

But thank the Lord for Jesus! He took on all the punishment that we deserved. He paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross for us. And when he did, since he was perfectly sinless, he made a way for us to come before God again as innocent, clean, pure children.

God’s unbelievable mercy—totally undeserved—is grace. And because of God’s grace we can talk to him. We can call him our Father and he calls us his children.

So thank Jesus for his sacrifice. Run into God’s presence yelling “Daddy!” Crawl up on his lap and tell him everything. He is waiting for you!

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Two-minute brainstorm! Set an alarm for just two minutes. In a journal or on some paper, write down all the things you think God is, like the amazing characteristics he has. When the alarm goes off, read what you wrote and thank God for who he is!

INSPIRATION

“God promised that whatever you face, you are not alone. He knows your pain. He loves you. And He will bring you through the fire.”

—Sheila Walsh, Christian author and singer from Scotland

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Nehemiah 9:17

Psalm 116:1–2

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Hebrews 10:19–22