Gò0dNews for Men
Marvelous Mercies
I
by Donald Cantrell
was feeling a little nostalgic the other day and I thought
and gasping for air. That is, until his dad runs in from the
about one of those old metal or aluminum water dippers
sideline. In 99 out of 100 cases, that dad will look down at
that people used to have. My grandmother had one,
that boy, asking him if anything is broken, and the kid will
and several of my relatives had them around their houses.
usually whimper “no” as the dad lifts him up and wipes
Some were inside, while some hung on a post outside. It
him off before sending him right back into the game. As
has been ages since I saw one, so I went on eBay to see if I
I think about that scenario, that is exactly what the Lord
could find one, and sure enough, there was one for sale. It
does with His children.
looked just like those from when I was a young child, but
Whenever we get knocked down, due to our own
when I magnified the photos, I noticed that the dipper or
dealings or because of some unexpected mishap, the Lord
ladle had dents on it. So, after reading a bit more, I found
immediately comes upon the scene, checks us out, brushes
out that the dipper was used, but it was still useful. Lamentations 3:21-23, KJV, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” That used dipper reminded me of myself and my standing before God. I am so thankful that He does not write me off because of my flaws, failures, inadequacies, and sins. The Lord is faithful in His mercies, and His forgiveness is fresh; it will
us off, and puts us back into the game. I am so glad for His
never be exhausted or denied. One could easily assume
marvelous mercies, because they are fresh and faithful. If
that most of us are like that used water dipper—we have
you need them today, they will be there, but they will also
survived life, though it has dealt us some rough blows.
be there tomorrow. The next time you mess up, go to the
God still finds value and usefulness in our lives. You are
Lord, ask Him to forgive you, and allow Him to place you
most likely harder on yourself than God is, for He knows
back in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, the Lord
that we are feeble and weak.
is not out to get you, He is out to love you and wants to
Last fall, I was a football referee for the Murray County Recreation Department and I was humorously reminded
extend His marvelous mercy unto you. Will you allow Him to do that?
is a rough sport. It is a game of collision, and often times a kid will literally be knocked flat on his back while heaving
12 // August 2022
About The Author
of how God treats His children. As we all know, football Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.”
