Tag: cry out
Son of David!
Scripture reading for January 28: Matthew 20
“And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight.” Matthew 20:29-34
The world often looks down on those who are needy or handicapped. Those that have to beg for help or for a living are thought to be distractions or a bother to the important people of life. Our culture often shapes our world view and it was no different in Jesus’ day in the nation of Israel. But God takes notice of all people. He is no respecter of persons but honors faith whenever it is present. He is not bothered by our cry for mercy.
These blind beggars evidently heard that Jesus Christ was passing by. They had heard about the miracles of healing and the buzz concerning the possibility that this was the expected Christ. In faith, they called out respectfully to Jesus for His mercy on their life of darkness. They shouted and in spite of the crowds demand that they quiet down, continued to loudly call out to the “Son of David” for help. Jesus stopped and took time to inquire of their request. As they asked for open eyes, Jesus opened them promptly! What a miracle to behold!
Are you unashamedly calling to Jesus for the help you need? Have your circumstances or those people around you caused you to be silent and cry no more? Call out again as Jesus is near and full of mercy!
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your amazing mercy and response to those in darkness, need and misery. Use me to be their voice when they are silent and be Your hand extended in healing. Amen.
Persistent faith required!
Scripture reading for July 21st: Luke 18, Psalm 145, Proverbs 21
Luke 18: 1-8 “And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?””
God always honors faith. Faith puts its hope in God’s ability to do what He has promised or spoken. Jesus, in teaching His followers about faith and prayer, used this example of an unjust judge who neither feared God or respected man. This worldly judge finally gave in to the widow who was persistently coming to him for justice. He did this to get her complaint out of his sight. God is never unjust or callous toward those who call on Him. We must be persistent in faith and patient to wait for His sure answer. In the meantime, we must also be about His business of helping the poor and needy as we have opportunity.
Psalm 145:18-19 “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are never unjust or uncaring towards us when we call out to you. Help me to be persistent and always come in faith when I call to You. Help me to be attentive to those You put in my path who need Your help that I can provide. I will continue to call out to You for my family each day knowing You are near to me and hear my cry and will save them and provide for them.
Proverbs 21:13 “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.”
Crying out, not silenced!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: Matthew 20, Psalm 88, Proverbs 26
Matthew 20: 29-34 “And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him.”
When people who are living in a hopeless situation have a ray of hope, they get motivated to act. Such was the case of the two beggars outside of Jericho as Jesus traveled on to Jerusalem. They heard Jesus was passing by and began to cry out loudly for mercy, addressing Jesus with a messianic title, “Son of David”. They crowd considered them nuisances and tried to silence them. But these men would not be denied and cried out persistently. Jesus heard their cry and summoned them with the question of what they wanted Him to do for them. They plainly stated their desire for healing of their sight. Jesus, moved by compassion, touched their eyes and immediately restored their sight! Humbly and persistently crying out gets God’s attention!
Psalm 88:1-2 “O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for another example in this story of Your heart of compassion for those blind and hurting. Thank You that you take time even for those the world tries to silence as a nuisance. Forgive me when I have foolishly considered someone not worthy of time or attention that You want to touch. Use me to be Your hand extended to those blinded by the god of this world, and all to Your glory.
Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”