Mercy for an ungrateful fool.

<sup>The Lord is so amazing. I am always amazed by how much he can love a being like me. A prideful, selfish human being. Why do I choose to live my life in an endless response of ingratitude when he has done so much for me that I may live and have life? Oh God, I have been rebellious against you, I have relied upon myself to make things right, I have been so childish. Help me to get back on my feet, to love others as you do, to focus completely and wholly upon your face. For it is only then that I can stand, it is only then that I can bear the weight and pain of this world. Without you, I am nothing. Contrary to my own beliefs, Father, I am not great. I am not talented. I am not kind. I am not respectful. I am not meek. I am not understanding. But you are, Lord. Oh, Lord, you are all these things and more, and that is exactly what I need. Please fill me with your spirit; help me to love. This sheep has wandered so far, Lord. I have gone off on m own, convinced that I can not only make it on my own, but also that I can excel on my own. How terribly foolish I am! Humble this fool, Lord. Humble me so that the only direction I can climb is upward, towards your plans, towards your purpose.



1</sup> Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

² Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his ^[a] holiness.

³ The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.

⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

⁶ He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion ^[b] like a young wild ox.

⁷ The voice of the LORD strikes
with flashes of lightning.

⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

⁹ The voice of the LORD twists the oaks ^[c]
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

¹⁰ The LORD sits ^[d] enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Give me your peace, Lord. Give me your strength! Give me ears to hear, and lips that I may praise you in your temple, that I may scream "Glory!" with all that I have.