Skip to main content

Lord, Have Mercy

             Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. (Psalm 119:132)

            And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6)

             This morning I find myself returning to a mental chorus: “Lord, have mercy.”  One of the popular definitions of mercy is “not getting what we deserve.” Grace is “getting what we don’t deserve.” And compassion is (among other things) “concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.” As I prayed, “Lord, have mercy,” I wondered what I needed mercy from God for. What did I do that I wanted God to not treat me as I deserve?

            When nothing specific came to mind, it came to mind that the word I was using might be wrong. Might I be looking for grace? To be treated in a way I didn’t deserve? That was closer, but not quite it, either. The next candidate was “compassion.” Did I want God to show concern for my sufferings and misfortunes? What sufferings or misfortunes?

            I still haven’t worked out exactly what I’m asking God for when I say, “Lord, have mercy.” And I know God knows what I’m looking for, even if I don’t.  God isn’t trapped by our inexactitude. If I ask for mercy and I need compassion, He’s wise and will meet me according to my needs. It’s not for His sake that I’m struggling over the form of my need. It’s for me, because understanding is part of maturation.

            Understanding these things also helps us love others facing the same sort of difficulties. Oddly enough, the solution to my word puzzle came from someone else’s word puzzle. She was trying to find a term to use for an item that breaks a curse. After some back-and-forth, I realized that the opposite of a curse is a blessing. When I mentioned that to her, I realized that’s also the term I’m looking for when I say, “Have mercy, Lord.” And that makes all the difference in the world.

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more