The Long Reach of God’s Mercy: Why His Promises Extend Further Than Our Failures
A couple of days ago, I woke up with the most bizarre thought: “If I were to get a tattoo, what would it be?”
This felt bizarre for a few reasons:
1. I’m probably the most unadventurous person you’ll ever meet. For me, getting a tattoo would feel like skydiving without a parachute.
2. I’m notoriously frugal—I’ll stand in the grocery aisle debating whether the name brand is really worth twenty extra cents.
3. My husband, Steve, is not a fan of tattoos. And while I’ve done a few things over the years that haven’t been his favorite, getting a tattoo would be on the top of that list. I’d never hear the end of it—and if you know Steve, you know he has plenty of words to spare.
The Tattoo Idea That Stopped Me
Despite all those objections, the thought crossed my mind, and I entertained it. My first idea was something from The Lord of the Rings. Maybe Tolkien’s symbol? But that felt too specific. Then I thought about Narnia. Aslan would make an impressive figure—and even mirror Jesus as the Lion of Judah. As much as I love Jesus (and Aslan, who are one and the same), that would take up a lot of skin space. I needed something more subtle.
So I thought: words. I’d get something written on my arm. Immediately, out of nowhere, I said aloud: “For a thousand generations.”
You may be thinking, “That’s a strange choice for a tattoo.” You may be right. I didn’t start researching tattoo artists; instead, I opened my Bible and searched for those words. And when I found them, I knew exactly why they had stopped me in my tracks:
“He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations...” (Psalm 105:8 NIV)
I Forget But God Remembers
I forget things all the time—like stopping by the grocery store to get creamer for my coffee, or realizing too late that my fuel display is down to five miles before I’m walking home.
I forget that Jesus urges me not to worry.
I forget that my problems in no way exceed His ability to solve them.
I forget that weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I forget constantly; it’s a chronic condition.
But God remembers.
That’s what a covenant is: a binding promise, initiated and upheld by God Himself. It isn’t like our contracts that can be broken or renegotiated; it’s a sacred, enduring relationship.
When Scripture says He remembers His covenant for a thousand generations, it isn’t a headcount of family trees—it’s Hebrew poetry for forever. Limitless. Unending.
A Thousand Generations—and Beyond
That one phrase stops me in my tracks because it tells me His mercy outlives my failures. His promises reach beyond my short memory, beyond my limited years, even beyond my children and grandchildren.
Where I forget, He remembers.
Where I falter, He remains faithful.
And in Christ, all of this finds its fullness. Jesus called His sacrifice “the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). That means His mercy doesn’t just stretch a thousand generations—it stretches into eternity.
So when you read “a thousand generations,” hear this: God’s faithfulness will outlast your struggles, outlive your fears, and extend further than you can dream. His covenant promise is not fragile—it’s eternal, and it’s for you.
Written On My Heart
So maybe a tattoo isn’t such a bad idea after all. For a thousand generations etched on my arm would be more than scribbled ink on pale skin—it would be a visible reminder that God’s promises, His covenant, cannot be undone or forgotten. His mercy reaches past my limitations.
Where my failures abound, His grace abounds all the more.
And it’s not just for me. His covenant stretches far beyond what I can see or imagine. My heart is already tracing eternal words that will shape my heritage and ripple through generations.
But Steve can rest easy. Maybe I don’t need the ink after all, because His words are already written on my heart.