When the great Puritan preacher Thomas Hooker (1586-1647) was on his deathbed, a friend tried to console him by saying, "Brother Hooker, you are going to receive your reward." "No, no!" he breathed. "I go to receive mercy!"

In sharp contrast, A. W. Tozer recalled the prayer of a man who had the idea that he could earn heaven as a reward for trying to keep the Ten Commandments. It went something like this: "Now, God, I admit I have not kept number 1 and number 3 and number 7 and number 9. But remember, Father, that I have kept all the others."

How foolish! This man failed to see that if he had broken one commandment, he was guilty of breaking them all (Jas. 2:10). His works were earning him condemnation, not salvation.

As the apostle Paul reviewed his 30-plus years of sacrificial service, he saw himself as the "chief" of sinners and totally dependent on God's mercy. Although he undoubtedly anticipated the rewards he would receive, he gloried only in the cross (Gal. 6:14). There Jesus paid the price for sin so that everyone who trusts in Him will receive mercy.

The wonder of God's mercy and grace! Someday I will "go to receive mercy." I hope you will too.  — Herbert Vander Lugt