• "But I'm not that important to God. I have not accomplished anything with my life and I'm too old now to do anything about it. I can't imagine that I will make any difference in God's scheme of things," he said. "How could any God love someone as worthless as I? I'm hopeless!"
• It seems as though the writer of Psalm 106 felt the same way. "Remember me, O Lord, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save them." He felt alone, abandoned, forsaken - perhaps even worthless. He could not imagine God including him in His plan of redemption. "I'm excluded!" he cried. "No hope."
• Another man made a similar statement. This one was a thief hanging on a cross dying for his crimes. How interesting it is to note that he was hanging next to some-One who had never committed any crimes but was dying for the crimes he - the thief - had committed. He had no time to turn over a new leaf and lead a better life. He could not go to the people he had wronged and ask for forgiveness or attend a religious ceremony for cleansing. He could not perform any good works - his hands were nailed to a cross. All he could do was to call on the name of the Lord and ask Jesus to "Remember me!" And, we too, must remember: no one is beyond the grace of God.
• Although he was a thief condemned to die for his crimes, our Lord loved him just as much as He loves us. "Today," Jesus assured him, "you will be with Me in paradise."
• God has no favorites. His love includes everyone.
• Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your love that includes all of us no matter who we are or what we have done! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
• Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:4 Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them,