To obtain mercy, appeal for mercy

It should be readily apparent that it's never a good idea to appeal to one's own worth when it comes to obtaining God's favour. "I deserve this good thing." "I don't deserve this bad thing." Truth? God owes you nothing. Nothing but wrath. You're just dust. A lump of flesh. Worse, you're a sinner. You're so far from God that Isaiah even tells us your righteous deeds are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

So how do we obtain the favour of such a Holy being? The God who has to humble Himself just to see the stars, how do we claim His mercies? Conveniently, you need only ask for it. God's greatness goes far beyond His grandeur, being revealed also in His unimaginable humility. In His unfathomable glory, God loves you. And so the thing to appeal to is not yourself, but Him. To obtain mercy, appeal to His mercy, for He is willing to give to you. To obtain His grace, know that He has that grace for you. To obtain His love, know that He loved you before you were even conceived. Always keep your focus on the Lord.