Have Mercy

Have there been moments when you just wish someone would have had mercy in your situation? All it would have taken was a few questions about intention or a true meaning of what happened -- without the persons assuming you were a bad person or the situation was meant to be bad. What is mercy anyway? Wikipedia defines it as a broad term that refers to benevolence, forgiveness and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social and legal contexts. Mercy is really a beautiful thing and I think it follow suit with forgiveness. People are quick to accuse, assume and act indignant when all we really need is mercy.  The bible tell us the following:

 

Psalm 145:9 says,  The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works. If we are supposed to be Christ-like, what happened to our mercy?

Ephesians 2:4 says, But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. How can we expect mercy when we do not offer it up to others?

I am praying to have the same mercy for others that Jesus has for me. I have often prayed for the mind of Christ so that I may walk this land as He did "going about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil."  Acts 10:38.  How do we achieve this other than a supernatural impartation of divine mercy in our life?

Growing up in the South, I often heard the saying, "Have Mercy" or "Lord, Have Mercy". It is funny to think about it now, but a lot of the old sayings come from the bible. I have thought back and laughed so hard at some of the things I heard from my grandmother, because they were rooted in biblical text. There is something to be said about the old, wise people. That kind of wisdom is hard to find. What in the world happened to the old elders from the baptist church or the women who used to sit out back talking, canning the foods from the garden and kitchen full of smells like beans, cornbread and sweet tea. Makes me say, Have Mercy!

 

Near the End

Today is my birthday and I am near the end of another year. So much has taken place this year and it is impossible to recall all the good and the bad. If you think about the happenings in the news, my work and job change, ministry and church business; all that took place seemed to be so much change in a short period of time.

This time last year I was so disappointed that my holidays were not spent enjoying the season or my family. I was captured and caught up in work. The place that felt so heavy and burdensome seemed a world away this year. I feel like I am back to the old days of enjoying the season and spreading holiday cheer. Most importantly, I reflected on what God gave us as a gift -- his son Jesus.

As I look back at this point, I have to thank God for moving in my life. I prayed to be "home for the holidays" and not working.  Praise God for the answer of Yes! and Amen! While my colleagues and peers are still struggling under the same regime, I give thanks to a God who knows when the end is the end and a new beginning means a new assignment. I also thank God for confirmations along the way. He leads me by a lamp unto my feet.

As the beginning of the new year draws closer, I am praying and thinking about how God can use me and who He will send to cross my path. The journey is an assignment and the assignment is divine.  Obedience is the key to joy and peace.

Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us by your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

--- Book of Common Prayer 1979