It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.

Psalm 27:10

Meditation 42 is a poem about acceptance, contrasting what we deserve with what we've received in Christ. We deserve rejection - we are rebels against God. Even now, our faith is weak, we have doubts and fears, and we fail to trust God completely. 

We sin against God. We doubt his goodness. We get angry at his will. What would happen if we so regularly treated another person this way? And yet, God never abandons us. He treats us as beloved children. He sets a place at the table for us. He gives us grace.

Perhaps we should strive a bit harder to follow this example? 

Questions to Consider

The questions are Tripp's. I included my answers in case they're helpful to read.

1. Do you live with the courage and hope that comes from knowing you are never alone.

- Much of the time, yes.

2. Is there a person whom you tend to look for the security of the unfailing love and acceptance that you have already been given by your heavenly Father?

- This isn't a particular struggle for me. There are times when I look for approval from others that I shouldn't need, but I always feel accepted in Christ.