Tag: have mercy on me
Have mercy on me, a sinner!
Scripture reading for April 16th: Luke 18:1-17
It’s easy to be self-righteous! We are prone to think very highly of ourselves and focus on the other people who are ‘worse’ sinners than we are. Church people are very often the best at this, because they think that going to church or doing something for the poor brings them into special merit with God. But God is not as impressed with our attempts to look good as we are. Jesus told a story to help His disciples better understand their need for humility.
“To some who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told them this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'” (Luke 18:9-13)
The Pharisee went home as he came–proud and full of himself! He was oblivious to his real need of deliverance from pride. He was eager to see the faults of others, but missed the ‘log’ of self-righteousness in his own eye! He was confident in himself and his own ability to do what God required by keeping the law and earning his standing with God and failed to ask God for mercy for this fatal sin. To the rest of the world, it probably looked like this Pharisee had it right, but Jesus saw it otherwise!
Any Jewish person who worked as a tax collector was considered a ‘sinner’ by the society of Jesus’ day. But this man was humble and recognized his need of forgiveness. He confessed that he, himself, was a sinner and took ownership of his own mistakes. He did not blame God or claim to be a victim of someone else’s sin. He humbly asked God for the mercy he knew he needed. This attitude caught Jesus’ attention and Jesus said that this man went home justified! “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exhalted.” (Luke 18:14b)
Shout to the Lord!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 10:32-52, Psalms 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22
How desperate are you to get the Lord’s attention? Would you be willing to make a scene to get Jesus to stop and touch you? Do you have to embarrass yourself or others to get His attention? In today’s reading, Mark describes an incident where a man was desperate enough to do whatever he could to reach Jesus.
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Mark 10:46-48)
Bartimaeus was blind and had to resort to begging to meet the needs that he had for life. When begging, a person’s pride must be set aside and they must humbly ask for mercy. A haughty person finds little sympathy and one who is too shy to even ask will have little chance of receiving. Bartimaeus learned to stay alive by asking people for help. He was blind and desperate and willing to ask!
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout out his request for mercy. His blindness did not hinder him from knowing that Jesus was a ‘Son of David’, able to touch and heal him. His loud cries caused others to try and quiet him, but he pressed on in by shouting even louder! This ‘blind’ man could see with inner eyes of hope that Jesus was his only hope and would not be deterred!
Jesus called for him to come and Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and hurried to the Master. Jesus asked him what he wanted from Him. “The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go”, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:51-52) Jesus had the man say exactly what he wanted. Sometimes people with disabilities only want money or provision, they do not want healing. We must be desperate for wholeness and clearly ask! If you have a need today, why not shout to the Lord? He is nearby!
Save Me From My Enemies!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Psalm 107-110
Psalm 109 is one of the Psalms of David where he calls on God to get even with his enemies. We don’t know what enemy David had in mind, but the attack on him was one of lying and evil speaking against his character. We can do some very heavy damage with our tongues and the words can go deep and cut at the heart of a person. David felt these words of hatred surrounding him and bringing false accusations. (Psalm 109:2-4) He felt that he had tried to be a true friend, but that he had been betrayed by one whom he had considered a friend.
How is a person to deal with this kind of situation? The word of God tells us that we can’t “get even” because we are not in a position to judge another person. All vengeance belongs to God, who alone can repay justly. David appeals to God to do just that! He calls for God to send an evil man against him to give him a taste of his own medicine. He asks that his own prayers would condemn him! (Psalm 109:6-7) He even asks that God would not forgive his sins and that his memory be cut off from the earth! (Psalm 109:14-15) David also asked that this man’s curses come back on him and wrap around him. (Psalm 109:17-20)
David’s prayer then turns to his own need of grace. “But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your Name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.” (Psalm 109:21-22) David knew that God was the only help he could depend on in this crisis. He was not able to deal with this crisis with physical power or his kingly authority. God alone was the source of mercy and healing for his wounded heart! David expressed his faith and confidence in God’s mercy and justice to deliver him!
This psalm reminds us that God is just and will in the end deal justly with all men. We must wait on the Lord and entrust our vindication to Him. We need mercy, not judgment! Jesus Christ taught us to pray for our enemies’ forgiveness instead of their condemnation. Our new model is “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)