Preparing for corporate worship

"Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song, the joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue." That is the beginning of a wonderful old hymn by John Stocker, updated musically by Sandra McCracken, that our church has sung many times. How true those words should be! Where would we be without the mercy of God? Paul wrote about it this way: "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:4-6). Our salvation is the result of His mercy, not on the basis of anything we have done or ever would do. Our continuation in the Christian life is a result of His mercy. That is cause for celebration among sinners who have no hope without God's mercy. May we prepare to agree together in worship this Sunday that our God is a merciful God who deserves all the glory, praise, adoration, thanksgiving and submission we can give Him.