Have mercy ∙

Have mercy ∙

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.”

The Judds were an American country music duo consisting of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. As one of the most successful acts in country music history, The Judds released six studio albums between 1983 and 1991. They earned five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group and nine Country Music Association awards. Additionally, they achieved 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

The Judds released “Have Mercy” 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, simple, mantra-like prayer:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The Jesus Prayer holds a significant place in Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition and is often referred to as the “prayer of the heart.” Throughout the history of the Orthodox Church, it has been deeply revered, widely taught, and fervently discussed. As part of personal devotion and meditation, the prayer is traditionally recited continuously, emphasizing humility, repentance, and the acknowledgment of human fallibility while seeking mercy and grace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 portrays two men with contrasting attitudes. One, a Pharisee, was self-assured in his religious beliefs and practices. He felt he lacked nothing, so he requested nothing and received nothing. On the other hand, a tax collector recognized and acknowledged his spiritual poverty. He sought much, received much through his humble request, and was shown great mercy by the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

Good and caring parents are merciful and gracious. They want only the best for their children and discipline them with love because they love them.

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 involves the compassionate treatment of those in distress, particularly individuals under one’s power or control.

Cats are renowned for their effectiveness in eliminating vermin like rats and mice from human homes and buildings. However, observing a cat with its prey reveals a different story. The scene is the epitome of a lack of mercy. Initially, the cat captures the mouse, only to play with it and tease it before ultimately killing it. Why? This behavior is driven by instinct, a common trait among felines worldwide. It amuses the cat but is far from enjoyable for the mouse. Why do they act this way? Simply because they can.

The New Testament advises us to walk wisely and circumspectly, much like a cautious cat (Ephesians 5:15). It also commands us to show mercy, urging us not to withhold it. Instead of giving people what we think they deserve, we are called to extend compassion.

This is how the Father treated us.

How do you envision the Father? When you picture Him, what comes to mind? Do you see a loving Father with outstretched arms eager to lavish you with love and care? Or do you imagine a stern, critical, and somewhat wrathful judge?

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, engaging with us in real-time as we walk through life with Him. When we are faithful and live by His principles, we bring joy to His heart. However, when we violate His principles, there are times when the Father reacts with anger.

Isaiah 54:8 In a burst of anger, I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love, I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

He is the Father of mercies, the all-merciful Father, the gentle Father, or simply the merciful Father. Even in His wrath, He remains merciful. He is not prone to anger but instead filled with loyal love and devotion for His children. His displeasure is fleeting. The Father’s abundant warmth and tender love far outweigh His brief moments of chastisement. His discipline is short-lived when compared to His everlasting love.

The psalmist asked, LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? (Psalm 130:3). The answer is clear: no one. Even when God must judge sin, He continues to show mercy (Stanley).

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)_/¯ 12-19-2

© Dr. H 2024