LORD, have mercy on me. – Psalms 9:13
Luke 18:9-14
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.”
11 “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!’
12 ‘I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’”
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”
14 “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Have Mercy was released by the Judds in September 1985. It became their fifth number one song on the country chart.
Have mercy on me
You treat me so bad I’m in misery
It’s breaking my heart, can’t you see
Baby, baby, have mercy on me
Have mercy
The Jesus Prayer is a short formulaic, mantra-like prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The Jesus Prayer is a popular prayer among Eastern Christians. It has been cherished, prayed, widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Orthodox Church.
Partial snippets are found in the Old Testament. Psalms 9:13 LORD, have mercy on me.
The Jesus Prayer is quite similar to the prayer made by a tax collector in Luke 18. The story tells of two men. One a Pharisee, confident in his religiosity, thought he was spiritually rich, needed nothing, asked for nothing, and got nothing. The tax collector, on the other hand, knew he was spiritually impoverished, and needed much, asked for much, and received much, the Father’s mercy and much more.
REFLECT & PRAY
Good and caring parents are merciful and gracious. They want only the best for their children. They child train them in love.
Father thank You for disciplining me with love and mercy. Thank You for always remembering mercy!
INSIGHT
Grace is getting what you do not deserve
Mercy is not getting what you do deserve
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in distress. This is particularly true of someone subject to your power and control.
Cats are known for their prowess at ridding human structures of vermin such as rats and mice. But have you ever witnessed a cat with a mouse? It is the epitome of the lack of mercy. First the cat captures the mouse. Then it toys with it, teases it before turning violent and killing it. Why? It is instinctive, it is the way of felines everywhere. Fun for the cat, not so much for the mouse. Why did they do it, just because they can.
The New Testament advises us to walk wisely, circumspectly (like a cat Ephesians 5:15). But we are also commanded to show mercy. We should not be without mercy just because we can. We should refrain from giving people what we think they deserve.
That is the way the Father treated us.
How do you envision the Father? When you think of Him what do you see? Is He a loving Father with outstretched arms who wants to lavish you with His love and care? Or is He stern, critical, somewhat wrathful judge?
In fact, the Father is a little bit of both.
Deuteronomy 13:18 The LORD your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands
The Father responds to our thoughts and actions. He interacts with us in real time as we walk through life with Him. When we are faithful and live by His principles, we bring a smile to His face. But when we violate His principles, sometimes the Father reacts in anger.
Isaiah 54:8 In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you.
He is the Father of mercies, the all-merciful Father, the gentle Father, or simply the merciful Father. He is not given to anger but rather loyal love and devotion to His children. His displeasure is short. Lavish displays of the Father’s warmth and soft love far offset His momentary chastening. His discipline is short-lived when compared to His everlasting love. In the midst of His wrath, He is merciful.
Habakkuk 3:2 In wrath remember mercy.
We are to be just like Him!
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Dr H Reflections 