Tag-Archive for » mercy «

Rescue Me

16
Feb 2010
By Andy

Scripture:

Psalm 25:16-26:3 “Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have, and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections. For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.”

Observation:

Last week was a difficult week. Not last Wednesday, but the Wednesday before, we started our commitment to move Jenna out of our bed. It meant 1 to 2 hour long fights in the middle of the night and by the beginning of last week both Nicole and I were exhausted. Although my present pain is always more difficult than my past pain, last week felt more tiring than any time since Jenna was born.

This is my first journal entry since two Fridays ago – it feels good to be doing this again, and this passage is a good reminder of Scripture’s relevancy to my life. Toward the end of last week I had a conversation that, after thinking and praying, makes me identify with David’s prayer, though not with quite so much passion. I think I’d write something more like

Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in distress. Oh, save me from them all! Forgive my sins. See the misplaced frustration of my friends. Protect me! Rescue my integrity from them. Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives. I am constantly in need of your unfailing love, and I try to live according to your truth.

Initially I wasn’t going to include vs 26:3 – “I am constantly aware of your unfailing love,” but it’s good to remember and helps put things in perspective.

Application:

I think the best thing I can do right now is to hold on to trusting in God. I don’t know how things are going to play out, but I can rely on God’s unfailing love.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for meeting with me. I missed this time last week. I pray the prayer above; declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity.

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Mercy Despite

07
Jan 2010
By Andy

Scripture:

Genesis 19:16 “When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.”

Observation:

Despite our faltering, our doubt, and our fear, sometimes God answers the prayers we should be praying. Some scriptures lead me to believe that a moment of hesitation can leave us abandoned by God; in Lot’s case, the Lord was merciful. Jesus Christ is still merciful today.

Application:

Despite the times when I falter, when I doubt – God is merciful. When he shows me that mercy, I want to be able to accept it, and return knowing that, had I been capable of removing myself in whatever situation, I might’ve begged God to seize my hands and rush me to safety. Because of my relationship with Him, I know that, in some cases, even though I can’t pray that prayer, God will still answer. Second, I want to be sensitive and obedient enough to God that I can rush someone else to safety, despite their hesitation.

Prayer:

Lord, in a moment of clarity, I ask you to rescue me when I’m at my dimmest – show me mercy. Seize my hands, drag me to safety.

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Benevolence in Punishment

25
Aug 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Jeremiah 38:20 – Jeremiah tells King Zedekiah “You won’t be handed over [to die] if you choose to obey the Lord.  Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.”

Observation:

Judah is being punished for years of egregious sin against the Lord.  King Zedekiah is the lucky leader of the nation when this punishment is taking place – he has done nothing to turn the nation back to God.  Yet God offers salvation to this wayward king even as his punishment rains down on Judah.  The old testament certainly displays God’s wrath in response to jealousy, protection, and correction of His people.  But along with that wrath comes sincere love for his people.  Even those who refuse to listen.

Application:

I do not want to need severe correction, but I know that if/when the time comes for an area of my life to be burnt to the ground, I will trust my life to this God who is benevolent even in punishment.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your empathy and your kindness.  In times when you offer me a good way to go, please let me take it.

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Stand Firm in Love

07
May 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (NIV)

Observation:

I have experienced this feeling, and I think it is common to man.  Seeing wickedness and iniquity often calluses the heart, even against just one person.  As these accounts grow, our indifference becomes more general and widespread.  Christ challenges this temptation – Don’t let it happen!  Stand firm!  Let your love be unconditional.  How does God do this?!  He sees EVERY act of evil, every injustice, every iniquity – how quickly would my love grow cold.

Application:

I need to guard my heart and not let Christ’s love be quenched by the sin around me, but let it be overwhelmed with compassion, grace, and mercy from God.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for heaving a deep well to which you give us access.  Give strength to the leaders who fight against the forces of iniquity, injustice, and every kind of evil.  (End of journal entry)  Specifically I lift up leaders like Bono and the One campaign, Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission, Wess Stafford of Compassion, and Richard Stearns of World Vision.

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What is Good

28
Apr 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Micah 6:8 “O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Observation:

This is the type of verse I think of when people are frustrated by a lack of “calling” on their life.  The Bible doesn’t lay out a complete direction for all, but it is so clear about how we are to go.  In many ways this is the same principal as Matthew 15:11 “You are not defiled by what you eat, but what you say and do.”  What you eat, what you do, where you live … these things are really ancillary to your relationship with God and your relationship with others.  As we engage life, we are to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

Application:

I wrote just the other day about finding my calling – I don’t think that is a bad desire, but I shouldn’t be frustrated by it.  I need to keep in mind the callings God has placed on my life.

Prayer:

Lord, let me always keep an open ear for your direction, but give me a content and steadfast heart to move forward in the manner you’ve laid out.

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