Deserving

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:8-12 NLT

My sister loves me. She forever takes up for me. When she thinks I've been wronged in some way, her first response is either, "You didn't deserve that!" or "You deserve better than that!" (whatever "that" is). She loves me fiercely and is always in protective mode, even though she's the younger, and of course, I love her right back. That being said, I would be terribly misguided if I started to believe that somehow, I deserve to only have good things happen in my life and that nothing bad should ever happen to me, based on my own actions.

In the light of God's Word - and let's be honest, every area and every moment of our lives should be lived in the light of God's Word - the only thing we deserve is death. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A few chapters before that Paul writes, For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. (Romans 3:23-24) 

See how that is? Based on our own works, we fall short and our payoff is death. Based on God's works, we are made right with Him and we get eternal life. We don't get what we deserve! We get mercy and grace. Unfathomable in light of the Truth!

Paul says it best in Romans 12:3 The Message when He writes, I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what He does for us, not by what we are and what we do for Him. [emphasis mine]

Prayer:

Father,
            How can we ever thank You enough for NOT giving us what we deserve? We thank and praise You for the precious gift of Your Son offering us eternal life. We are humbled by Your grace and mercy in our lives. Help us to keep our hearts and eyes wide open to Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen