Tag Archives: Mercy

God’s Mercy

Living in the Spirit

September 9, 2022

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Andrae Crouch’s song My Tribute, came to mind as I read this scripture,

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee*

God with us, Jesus Christ, is the source of mercy, which we all need at some time or another. In our busy lives, we forget about the need for mercy. Our actions and ways of being that call for mercy, I think stay with us until we deal with them. Regular self-examination is important, asking for mercy, and perhaps more important accepting mercy is necessary for us to continue in our work toward a better family, community, and world. Sometimes we may need to make amends for our behavior. God’s mercy carries us through the guilt and shame we may feel and helps us to turn around from our separation from God.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your mercy that enables us to overcome our shortcomings and be the person you created us to be. Amen.

See at *https://www.google.com/search?q=how+can+i+say+thanks+for+the+things+you+have+done+for+me+lyrics&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS987US987&oq=How+can+I+say+thanks+for+the+things+ou&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i22i30j0i390l4.12118j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

All Made in the Image of God

Living in the Spirit

November 8, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:4-20

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year after year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?

Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your sight.’ Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

 They rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.‘ –1 Samuel 1:4 -8, 16-20

The Bible is a record of the history of God mingled with particular cultures in specific times. It is a story still being written in our culture and our time. In Hannah’s time, women were most likely perceived only as incubators to hatch the seed planted by a male. Not being able to perform that function was the cause of great shame for a woman. This reality, coupled with the burning desire to be a mother no matter what the culture dictated, left Hannah in great distress. She laid her anguish before God. When Priest Eli heard her plight, he assured her that God would grant her petition to have a child. The Prophet Samuel was the answer to that prayer.

We, too, pray in the angst of culture created by other gods of our world trying to dictate divide and conquer measures of worth.  We humans seem to be drawn to the need to judge human value by identifying traits and statuses that create hierarchies of some people being better than others. We need more people of God looking deeper into people’s pain, enabling all to recognize that all are created in God’s very image. Samuel grew up to become such a witness.

Prayer: Lord, help us look deeper into “The ways we have always done things” and sift out the wheat from the chaff.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Reciprocal Justice

Living In the Spirit

September 13, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ –Matthew 18:23-35

The servants were most likely fellow Israelites who had ventured into debt for some reason and had to work their way out. In the above instance, the one to whom they were bound no longer needed their services and wanted to recoup the remainder of the debt.

Within the history of the USA, we called the servants being described in this scripture indentured servants.The indenture was used routinely in the founding of the USA. My fifth Great Grandfather was indentured by his father at the age of 15 for seven years to a man to learn the trade of running a forge. I have a copy of the legal agreement. In return for working as an apprentice, he was to be taught to read, write, and cipher but was not paid. He completed the indenture and successfully worked on a forge until his old age. This was a voluntary indenture. Courts ordered involuntary indentures for repayment of debts and, in some instances, to work off time sentenced in prison for crimes committed.

Jesus uses this story to describe acts of mercy and the lack of reciprocal justice. Mercy was given by the first owner, allowing the servant more time to pay his debt. The servant was unwilling to treat the one who owed him money with mercy. Jesus also taught this lesson when he commanded us, ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Any type of bigotry in our world today is a lack of reciprocal justice, a failure to do to others as we would have them do to us. While such behavior may be accepted in society, it is not acceptable to God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we do not reciprocate the justice to others that is grounded in your love for all your children. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

What Does the Lord Require?

Living in the Spirit

June 22, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 22:1-14

After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’. . .  Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’ –Genesis 22:1-2, 7-14

Micah asked the pertinent question, What does the Lord require of you? He then provided the answer, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Before this very familiar discourse in a listing of things God might ask of God’s followers is the question, Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul*?’

The firstborn, particularly in Abraham’s culture, was the heir apparent. There was no equal distribution among all the children. Isaac was not Abraham’s firstborn. Ismael was, but Isaac was the chosen heir because he was the son of the rightful wife and Ismael, the son of a handmaiden. In my genealogy work, I have enjoyed reading some of the detailed wills of my ancestors that include bushels of wheat to one son, a container of potatoes to another. Daughters even got some things. I do not know when the oldest son’s inheritance standard changed. Jesus is noted as being Mary’s firstborn son. Filicide, the killing of one’s own child, was not uncommon in the time of Abraham. Child sacrifice was practiced in many early cultures.

I have read several attempts by theologians to explain this scripture. Some tend toward, we must get our priorities straight, and our worship of God is our highest priority. Others emphasize that the story indicates God demands and tests absolute loyalty. These seem to be the same idea coming from different directions.

I think it is the story of a devout God follower finding his way, perhaps testing himself, as we all struggle to do what the Lord requires of us. Abraham eventually understands that God does not expect Abraham to sacrifice his son. That decision illustrates justice, mercy, and walking humbly as a servant of God.

Prayer: Lord, walk with us as we find our way in serving you more nearly in a challenging world. Amen.

*Micah 6:8

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Total Commitment

Kingdom Building

September 7, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” –Luke 14:25-30

Tough language consistent with other words Jesus said about taking discipleship seriously. There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christ follower. There are times, whether we like it or not, when people have had to choose between following Christ or continuing relationships with others.  There are people who have sacrificed their lives for their faith. I do not think Jesus is emphasizing such situations in this scripture. I think he is saying that serving God comes first in all disciples lives and everything else is ordered within that context. Most of us are probably Christ followers today because a parent or spouse introduced us to the Christ.

The idea I think Jesus is trying to make clear is we need to understand and grow in the understanding of what it means to be a Christ follower. He shared similar thoughts in the telling of the parable of the sower*.  The sower spread seeds on all kinds of ground but the seeds only sprouted plants when sprinkled on land ready to accept it fully and completely.  In our scripture today Jesus compares being his disciple to building a building which requires planning and setting aside resources to pay for the land and building materials. Regarding being his disciple, he is talking about making a commitment for the long haul as we strive to build the Kingdom of God on earth.

As I write this the USA East coast and the Bahamas are suffering the consequences of a hung hurricane, another mass shooting just occurred in Texas, thousands of refugees are fleeing terror in their homelands searching for safety not only at our southern border but at several borders all over the world. Addressing the needs Jesus outlines in Matthew 25 of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, restoring the prisoner, and welcoming the stranger, is not for the faint of heart. It is the way to create a world ruled by love where everyone has enough, and we are the disciples called to make it happen with the help of God, the model of Jesus, and the support of the Spirit.

Prayer Creator God, you made us a little lower than you** and equipped us with skills and talents that we may not even know we have for the facing of this hour. Guide us as we make plans and develop resources to fulfill your call to building a Kingdom ruled by love. Amen.

*See Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15
**Derived from Psalm 8:5

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Drowning Pigs

Kingdom Building

June 22, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 8:26-39

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me’— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Legion’; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. –Luke 8:26-33

I guess one never loses one’s heritage. Having been raised on a farm, I cannot read this scripture without wondering why Jesus so easily allowed demons to destroy someone’s livelihood. I know that even being in the presence of swine was most likely unpleasant for Jews who were forbidden to eat pork. Thus, the drowning of an entire herd was most likely not a negative thing to the Jews that were present. In recent weeks herds of swine were drowned in the floods that occurred in our nation’s breadbasket. Here in Oklahoma crops were destroyed before harvest and new crops could not be planted in a timely manner because of the rains we are experiencing. An economic price will be paid for such loss.

What do we do with evil when it can be identified? Is it better for evil to be destroyed rather than allowing it to lurk in the background to find another outlet for its mischief? What is the cost to all of us when we allow evil to rule over some of us? And finally, are we indeed our brother’s keeper? Why did it take someone from another country to help the man who For a long time had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs?

We face the consequences of our own actions whether it not caring for the mentally ill and homeless or ignoring climate change or discrimination. Perhaps Jesus is reminding us that God created us with the ability to do justice and show mercy and while he was willing to demonstrate again how that can happen, he wanted to remind us that doing justice and showing mercy should be ingrained in everything we do.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we bury our heads in the sand and do not see the need for justice and mercy. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Righteous Path

Jesus’ Ministry
January 14, 2019

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
   and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
   and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
   and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
   that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
   and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. –Isaiah 62:1-3

I cannot imagine what it felt like to the people of Israel who at one point were a successful and thriving nation and then they became exiles, living in a strange place being ruled by outside forces.  Much of the poetry of the Hebrew prophets are targeted at dealing with the exile and its aftermath. The Lord has not forsaken; Jerusalem shall return.

These poets also analyze how this all happened, how the people turned to other gods, practiced greed, and did not follow in the ways God set before them.  It is a cycle that has repeated in every powerful nation who outgrew their values and perceived of themselves as deserving of more and better, forgetting the responsibilities of caring for one another.

Throughout it all God remained loyal to those who turned away from God. To realign with God, we must turn around once we see we are on the wrong path and pay attention to the instructions as we are redirected by God to the right path.

We live in trying times marked by what seem to be irreconcilable differences. Whatever happens over the next few months in our nation, we need to face it from God’s righteous way not based on our definition of the way but fully tuning in to God’s justice and God’s mercy.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we stray from your righteousness. In your mercy guide us to a right understanding of how to restructure ourselves and our world into a dwelling place ruled by your love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Discerning Mercy and Justice

Living in the Spirit
October 27, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

When Bartimaeus asks Jesus, Son of David, have mercy* on me! what is he requesting? Strong’s Concordance says mercy or pity means to show mercy as God defines it, i.e. as it accords with His truth (covenant) which expresses “God’s covenant-loyalty-mercy” (i.e. acting only on His terms).

Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. My first reaction, if I had heard that cry was that he was asking for money. Jesus did not assume that and inquired, “what do you want?” Bartimaeus’ heartfelt, audacious answer was ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus healed him carrying out mercy as God defined it.

As followers of Christ, we are called to show mercy and to discern what God’s mercy is in relation to the many justice issues with which we are challenged. In the history of God, mercy always seems linked to justice. Mercy often demands intermediate, sshort-termresponses to long-term systemic problems. Feeding one who is hungry is a necessary short-term response; justice strives for a world where everyone has enough to eat. Jesus could have dropped coins in Bartimaeus’ cup and walked on but he took the time to discern the real problem and addressed it. As the Body of Christ active today, we are called to discern both God’s definition of mercy and justice and work toward their fruition throughout our world.

Such discernment is one of the guides we need to consider as we make our decision during the mid-term elections. There are no easy answers to solve the issues that we face. If ever there was a time to seek God’s definition of mercy and justice, it is now. Is that not always the truth in all “nows”?

Prayer: My teacher, let me see now your mercy and your justice and how they fit into my duties as a citizen of this nation. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/1653.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Justice and Mercy

Living in the Spirit
July 3, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years…. David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inwards. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

While there are many great leaders in history, and David would rank among them, God is with all who lead righteously with justice and mercy because those characteristics are the very nature of God. We, being made in the image of God, are fully capable of practicing righteousness in all aspects of our lives. The better acquainted we become with doing justice and showing mercy the better we know God.

How do we know what is just and what is merciful? Often ethics classes or seminars require participants to deal with hard questions to strengthen our ability to think about how we react to various situations about which there are no easy answers. One of those questions is: Who should have been saved on the Titanic?

One of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the movie Schindler’s List showed a father holding a tiny baby with several Jews huddled together hiding in an underground sewer to avoid being taken to a concentration camp. The baby started to cry and the father muffling its face with some piece of clothing smothers the baby to save the group.

There are no easy answers to our immigration problem in the world today. Refugees are fleeing certain death and need our help. That help must come in many forms from offering asylum to working to make their homelands livable. Allowing people to work without legal papers is not just. In some instances, they are filling jobs that legal residents could do but would have to be paid appropriate wages and benefits. On the other hand, there is a shortage of people to do work in some areas. Work visas for people seeking employment for these jobs when there are no legal residents available need to be processed efficiently and effectively. Drug and human trafficking need to be ended. Denigrating any of the people involved, treating them less than the children of God that they are, will not make the process easier and will in most instances make it worse.

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, open our hearts and minds to find the righteous solutions to the problems in our world today. Strengthen our abilities to practice your justice and mercy. Amen

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Reflecting Justice and Mercy

Living in the Spirit
October 10, 2017

Scripture Reading: Exodus 32:1-14

But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. –Exodus 32:11-14

God was none too thrilled with the Israelites creating a god made of precious metals. Moses implored the Lord to give the Israelites a second chance, and God did. The God of second chances is the same God in whose image God made us. We are called to be a people of second chances also. Our world, particularly recently, follows baseball’s procedures, three strikes and your out, closer than God’s.  We send people to prison for non-violent crimes without the benefit of much if any restorative services, like mental health or substance abuse treatment, remedial education or work training.  When we release them from prison, we stamp them with “felon” on job applications whether their crime has any relationship to the work they pursue.

Moses reminds God of God’s promise to Abraham of a land of milk and honey, and we inherited that promise through Jesus Christ. Christ calls us to a partnership in building a world where all have enough as a part of an abundant life, which requires all to participate as fully as possible in its actualization. Empowering others to that full participation is a part of that calling too.

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, help us reflect your justice and mercy too. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.