August 25, 2021
Praying Friends,
Thank you. Thank you for praying. Thank you for praying each Wednesday for our prodigals and for revival. As you pray, remember that your heavenly Father is a merciful God. “Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me” (Psalm 69:16).
The Hebrew word for mercy is (racham) rakh’-am, compassion. It literally means the womb, (as cherishing the unborn). Other English words used are bowels, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, and pity. It is not the bowels as we would think of them, but rather the inward person. It is the place of deepest affection.
God is a merciful God!
The prophet Jeremiah says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The prophet Daniel’s prayer for the healing and blessing of the nation in Babylon rests upon the mercy of God, “O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy” (Daniel 9:18).
The words of Paul to the Ephesian believers beautifully express the mercy of God: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4). Our God is rich in mercy. His abundant mercies never come to an end. His tender mercies are great (Luke 1:78). This is who He is!
As Jesus moved among the needy of His day, He did so with a heart of compassion. His interactions with the blind, leprous, demon-possessed, and sin-afflicted people revealed His pity and tender mercy, pity.
The words of Matt Papa, in his beautiful song, "His Mercy Is More," are worth repeating and listening to:
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord!
His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more
As Jesus unfolded the beatitudes, He spoke about this subject of mercy and said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
The character of God is sure. He is merciful. In this passage, we learn that the way we receive His mercy is by showing it to others.
If you are going to show mercy, you need to develop a heart like Jesus. This involves spending time in His presence and learning from Him, being so close to Him that you are able to hear His heart and know His ways.
If you are going to show mercy, you need to let the Spirit lead you. This means cooperating with Him and listening to His prompting in your life. He will create an awareness of the needs around you. He will show you the ones who are in desperation. And He will enable you to move with a true heart towards them.
As you reach out in mercy, God will ensure that you receive the same. May it be so for all of us as we pray today!
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel