*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Wednesday, December 21st .

Pastor Chris

*…Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:13 NIV).*

Someone might see the evil, wickedness, deception, suffering and cruelty in the world today and conclude they’re a result of God’s judgment due to sin. But that’s not entirely true. We’re in the day of God’s mercy and His grace; we’re in a new dispensation; so it’s different today from how it was in the Old Testament.

The evil happenings in the world today aren’t judgments from God; rather, they’re actions and orchestrations of Satan upon the world. You can easily discern this by the Spirit and through the Word. It’s the reason God expects us to respond by addressing Satan, cutting off his influence from our world and from men’s lives.

There’s sin, but Jesus already paid the price for sin on behalf of all men. The Bible says, *“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1)*. The word translated “condemnation” is the same as judgment. Jesus was judged in our place, and not just for us, but for the whole world. The Bible says, *“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2)*.

Satan wants to make people believe that God is mad at them, punishing them, inflicting them with pain, whereas God isn’t the one behind it, but Satan. Our job, therefore, is to let the world know that God isn’t mad at them; rather, He’s made righteousness and eternal life available and free in Christ Jesus *(2 Corinthians 5:19)*.

The Bible says, _*“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)*. *Lamentations 3:22* says, *“It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”* We’re in the dispensation of His overflowing grace and mercy. Blessed be God!

*PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I manifest your glory and establish your will and righteousness in the earth today, winning souls and bringing men out of darkness into your marvellous light. I spread your love everywhere. Thank you for your overflowing grace, mercy and goodness that brings men to repentance, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:*

*Acts 10:38*

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

*Romans 3:23-25*

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

*Ephesians 2:13-15*

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan* Revelation 13:1-10 & Nahum 1-3

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan* Revelation 17:1-10 & Haggai 1