To Whom to Delve Out Mercy

I was recently watching the news related to the 2024 election cycle and was impressed with the candidate who took time to engage and interact with those supporting the other party. He was there to understand and learn from them. What I learned here is that I have to step out away from those who are like me and into the environment where I can meet and interact with those who are in need of what the LORD has for them and work to fulfill the work He has for me.

“¹⁰And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” — Matthew 9:10-11 (ESV)

Jesus regularly went to where the people were, regardless of who those people were. He traveled with His disciples, yet spent time with those who were not exactly of like mind. He was there for the people and not the other way around. Yes, there were those moments when Jesus met with and counseled His disciples to ensure that they were learning and preparing to take over when His time was done, but the bulk of His time was spent with those in need and not those of like mind.

“¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV)

Jesus taught me that those who are in need of mercy are those who are lost. Those who are like me are not regularly in need on mercy (although God provides it when needed) for they are the ones doing the work of God as they have received Him already. I have to remember to engage with those in need as Jesus says in verse 13 above, “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”. “Those who are well have not need of a physician, but those who are sick.” In order for me to bring mercy to those in need, I have to engage with those in need.

Now, as I mentioned above, Jesus did meet with and work with His disciples to counsel, teach, and prepare them for what lie ahead, but He was focused on spreading the Gospel to those in need. In my career as a training professional, it is important that I work with my peers to counsel, teach, and prepare them (as well as learn from them), yet I have to spend the bulk of my time working with those in need of my educational services. I have to bring them the growth and learning that will help them.

I have to remember to delve out mercy to those in need of it and that is going to be those who are a little (or even a lot) less like me. I have to step into those environments and bring what the LORD has for me to bring into them. I have to let them know that the LORD loves and has compassion for them and wants nothing but the best for them.

What about you, where are you spreading mercy? Are you finding yourself continually in the environments of those who are like you? What if you where to step out into the environments of those who are not like you to delve out mercy to those who may not be aware it is available and are in need of it?

Give Mercy, Receive Mercy

I am sure that the saying, “it is better to give than receive” is one that most if not all have heard. Christmas is known as the giving season. With that in mind, my study this morning makes wonderful sense to me.

“⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

This morning I was brought again to “The Beatitudes” where I have studied a number of times. Specifically I was brought to the above as I am in a study of the word “mercy”. I see that in the verse, Jesus indicates that first we are to give mercy. In a society where blessing are celebrated through social media, Jesus tells me that the first step to receiving blessings is to give blessings to others.

Mercy does not seem much like a blessing to me. So I am to offer up the idea of not persecuting someone for what they have done to me or others? Well it seems as though it is a reward for bad behavior to give them a reprieve from the consequences of their actions. But that is not what Jesus is saying as I think about it. He is saying that I have to show them love and compassion, even in the midst of the bad actions they have embarked on.

“³⁴And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” — Luke 23:34 (ESV)

Those that commit the acts are still accountable for their committing them. They are still liable for the consequences of their actions and deeds. My role is not to condemn them as I am not to pass judgment, I am to love them and show them the compassion and mercy that comes only from God. Once I have given mercy, I have completed my role in the ordeal and I will move on to the next as God designs for me.

But, what shall I receive in return? I or someone was wronged and I offered up forgiveness and love and compassion and simply overlooked the action that was committed. Yes, I have, and does not forget me. See that is the purpose of this “Beatitude”, I am blessed by the Father thanks to my obedience and love and compassion and mercy. I have loved and the Father loves me back. I have given and I shall receive.

The LORD does not leave me out there to give and give and give without the benefit of that giving. The thing is, what I receive may not be what I want. I will receive love and compassion in return. I have sinned and will continue to do so. I have been receiving the love and compassion from the LORD for my entire life and this was my chance to give. I will continue receiving from my Savior and I should continue giving as He does.

I am not saying that there is some sort of quid pro quo in the realm of mercy. What I am say is that in following Jesus, I will be blessed for doing as He does and providing mercy to others. I will be blessed with mercy as I provide mercy for others.

What are your thoughts as relate to giving of mercy? Are you willing to give love and compassion to those who have done wrong with no expectation of any thing in return? What if we approached mercy from the perspective of giving, knowing that what we give we will also receive?

Wait on God and His Mercy

It is so hard to wait, yet it seems as thought that is all we do in this world. Wait on the bathroom, wait on traffic, wait for the bus, wait on reporting, wait on just about everything. Even with all the waiting in this world, waiting on God is still in the picture. Waiting on His provisions. Waiting on His blessings. And, waiting on His deliverance and mercy.

“¹⁶I hear, and my body trembles;

my lips quiver at the sound;

rottenness enters into my bones;

my legs tremble beneath me.

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble

to come upon people who invade us.”

— Habakkuk 3:16 (ESV)

Here I see that regardless of the fear and anxiety that enters my thoughts, and body, I still wait on the LORD to do what He does, provide, bless, deliver and provide mercy. Habakkuk is in the midst of prayer to God to say it out loud that he will wait on the Him to do what He does as relates to His people.

I believe that it is a key point that Habakkuk is praying/speaking with God as relates to what is desired. I see that he is not shy when it comes to saying it. He says it out loud for the LORD to hear, even though we know that God knows even what is in our hearts and minds without our saying it. Habakkuk is obedient in that he follows the instruction of the LORD even before the instructions are given.

“²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24 (ESV)

Habakkuk’s prayer to the LORD opens with his exclaiming what is already known from the LORD and his asking up front and then declaring in verse 16 that even in asking, waiting on the LORD, regardless of how long is the right approach. Yet, the asking is where it all begins.

“²O LORD, I have heard the report of you,

and your work, O LORD, do I fear.

In the midst of the years revive it;

in the midst of the years make it known;

in wrath remember mercy.”

— Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)

Notice how it is that Habakkuk is asking from the LORD. He is specific, in his request, “remember mercy”, yet he is not demanding the how and specifics from the LORD. Habakkuk simply asks for the LORD to do that which he knows He will do. He does not ask for the LORD to do things this way or that, he asks for Him to do what He does and remember His mercy in the process. And then, he lets the LORD know that regardless of what or when, he will still wait on the LORD.

I have to remember the same in my approach to the LORD and all that I seek from Him. I have to begin by asking (out loud) to let the LORD know my request. I have to request the LORD to do that which He will do in the timing He will do it. And I have to wait on the work of the LORD to be completed and know that His work will result in mercy.

What are you asking for from the LORD? Are you seeking deliverance and telling God how to get it done? What if you were to ask out loud for the LORD to do His work however He will do it and only remember mercy and then wait on the LORD for as long as it takes?

Be Aware and Test

“¹Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” — 1 John 4:1 (ESV)

Trust is important. I have to be trusting that those in positions of authority are acting in the best interest. I have plenty of people in my life that are in those positions and well let’s just say that I am a bit skeptical at times as to their motives and actions. As I read this morning, it is not a bad thing to have those questions. The thing is, I have to take action and test to know for sure and settle things instead of simply having the questions.

John points out here that there are those in the world that are not from God. It is known and it is important to be aware. I have to look out for those false prophets and test whether they are from God or of the world. I have to keep my awareness front of mind and look out for the distractions that can come from what is offered, and question for myself just where they are coming from and listen for their answers and motives.

“²By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” — 1 John 4:2-3 (ESV)

Those that are not from God are not going to offer up that they are from God. They will need to be tested and you can see that John lays out the test in verses two and three above. We have to ask them. And if the are indeed from God, they will confess of Jesus Christ and His coming to the world. This is not something that will be stated, it will have to be asked for. I have to be diligent in my testing of those around me to ensure that they are indeed from God and not just making things look good.

There is a certain level of trust that has to be. I have to act, in the beginning, as those in authority are here to lead me in the right direction and down the right path to the completion of the work God has for me. Without that initial trust, I will find myself frozen in ambiguity and will not be able to fully act at all. I do have to be aware of signs that things are not as they seem and when they are presented, I have to question/test those in authority to understand just where they come from and what their ultimate motives happen to be. It is in the answers to those questions/tests that I am able to have the confidence in working with them to the advancement of the work of God.

When have you wondered about those in authority around you? Are you blindly working for them fully trusting they are who they appear to be? What if you were to trust initially and then be aware enough to question/test them to determine if they are indeed from God and have His work in mind?

Genuineness Tested

God does not test me for no reason. He is working to build my endurance and strength to overcome the trials and persecution that come with following Him. I have to embrace the tests to know that I am growing in my faith and to demonstrate my genuineness of faith.

“⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

I have for the past bit been studying the words “trial” and “tested” to understand the words and their impact on me as a follower of Christ. I find it difficult to make it through the days without being tested and as a follower of Christ, I wanted to know why all the tests if I am indeed chosen as an heir with Jesus. I got my answers.

I am not tested to challenge my faith and beat me down. I am tested to grow my faith and build me up. These tests that I experience each day are evidence that God is indeed on my side and is working to prepare me for even more to come. Jesus was tested daily to build His strength to go to the cross and die for me and all who have sinned. He was not drenched in robes and ornamentation in His time here in this world. He was no different that me in that He walked through all the worldly things just as I do.

Now, I am not Jesus and will not claim to be. I am just a man and am a follower of Christ. I am however tested to build me up as He was. I am shown the difficulty in the world and given the endurance to overcome that difficulty and proceed with the work He has for me. I follow Christ, not for the wonders of what I receive here in this world, but the wonders received when I have left this world. I need the tests to give me the strength to continue with my genuine walk with Christ and to power through all that is presented to me.

It would be easy for me to just give up and turn away from the LORD. I can avoid the tests altogether by doing so. But, then I would be the hypocrite. I would claim to be the follower of Christ for the optics of the world, and then turn from Him in the interest of satisfying the world view and to avoid the tests that come with the relationship with Christ. My faith would be superficial and not to my core. I would not be genuine and that would be the travesty. I choose to endure the tests that come with my relationship to demonstrate my genuine faith in Jesus Christ my savior.

What is the point of the tests you encounter? Are you looking to avoid them? What if you accepted them as the strength builder as they reveal your genuine faith?

Be Tested

I got to thinking this morning as I was reading and studying. Would it be possible to just not be tested all the time and be able to relax and go through this world on easy street? I know that it is hard in this world, especially as a Christian and that is where I have to ask for some easiness. I am tired and worn out at all of the testing and fighting through it all.

Well, as a Christian, that is not in the cards. I have a job to do for God and that job is hard. The tests is part of the reward. The testing that comes is building my strength so that I can continue and not give up. I need the testing to get me through. I need the testing to develop the stamina and endurance to continue through to the end where I will be rewarded.

This testing is there for all Christians and not just me. I have to remember that I am not the only one being tested in my work for the LORD. All are tested and it is in that testing that we are grown in our faith and recognized to be for the LORD.

“¹⁰And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” — 1 Timothy 3:10 (ESV)

I am reminded in the above verse that the deacons of the church are tested before becoming deacons. Their skin is toughened, their resolve strengthened, and there devotion to Christ is revealed through the tests that are presented to them. I tend to forget that these men are not selected at birth by the church to be deacons. They are watched and studied and reveal themselves to be mature in Christ. It is their tests and their coming out on the other side which prove them mature. It is not the wishing it to be, but the work that is put in for Christ and then they are chosen to represent the Church as a beacon for the LORD.

I want to be strong. I want to be worthy. I want to be mature. I want to be tested, not to beat me down, but to build me up.

What is your view of being tested? Are you looking for the easy path? What if you embraced the testing as the way through to strength and endurance in your relationship with the LORD?

Tested by Praise

“²¹The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

and a man is tested by his praise.”

— Proverbs 27:21 (ESV)

This verse is a bit perplexing. I am tested by my praise. Is that in the giving of praise or receiving and is that to/from others or to/from God? YES

This morning in my study, I had to read the commentary of several versions (as I usually do) and look for more insight as opposed to just reviewing the text. In the commentary of my Christian Standard Bible (CSB) it is that it could mean both receiving and giving of praise. It is all about the heart in each situation. Am I reviewing and evaluating the praise received and then receiving graciously. Is the praise genuine or is it simply words used to manipulate. And the same can be said of the giving of praise. Am I giving praise graciously from the heart or am I trying to manipulate. I am to look more deeply into the praise that is given and received to ensure that it is right, sincere, and from a heart of love.

Who should I give praise and/or receive? That would be God and any and everyone else. I am looking for opportunities to give praise at all times. I have read and believe that if you see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it. In that I will have to be looking for that which I like and then praise from the heart to ensure that it is cultivated to continue. In the same, I know that God is proud of the work I am doing on His behalf here in this world. I have to open my heart to receive the praise that comes from Him in whatever form it comes.

I am tested by the praise I give and the praise I receive. I have to remember to open my heart. I have to evaluate the praise and that which is sincere and genuine I should accept graciously and give humbly. I have to be sure that even the praise given comes from the heart and not from the lips. All praise NEEDS to come from a place of love. I have to remember that trials in life may be God given and those trials are there to refine me. Even the praise given and received are trials and tests that deepen the hearty relationship with the LORD.

How do you look at praise? Are you looking at praise as though it is deserved? What if you looked more at praise as a test of your heart and gave/received graciously, humbly, and sincerely?

Tested, Pray, Rescued, Praise

The LORD will test me. I will pray for relief. The LORD rescues me. I will Praise Him. And again and again and again and again and again.

I know that when things are not going as I have planned or I am presented with a test/trial in life, I reach out to the LORD in prayer for relief. At the proper time, the LORD rescues me from the trial at which time I praise Him. This is a recipe for the relationship with the LORD that I must continue.

This morning I continue my study on the word “tested” and was brought to the passage in Psalm about the awesomeness of the Lord’s deeds. The passage discusses this recipe for us to follow and care for us that He gives.

“¹⁰For you, O God, have tested us;

you have tried us as silver is tried.¹¹You brought us into the net;

you laid a crushing burden on our backs;

¹³I will come into your house with burnt offerings;

I will perform my vows to you,

¹⁴that which my lips uttered

and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

¹²you let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and through water;

yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

¹⁵I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,

with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;

I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah”

— Psalm 66:10-11, 13-14, 12, 15 (ESV)

I know that these verses may be out of order from a written word, but they share the recipe as I see them. First it is mentioned of the tests/trials that the LORD has brought upon us in verses 10 and 11. Next in verses 13 and 14, is the reminder that while going through the tests/trials we have made promises in our prayers to the LORD. And in verse 12 we are assured of our deliverance/rescue from the tests/trials. And finally in verse 15 we praise the LORD for the journey and deliverance/rescue.

Every day I have the opportunity to go through with this recipe. God will test me. I will then pray for deliverance from the test. God will rescue me at the right time (not to be confused with my timing request). I will then praise God for the experience and the deliverance.

By following this recipe, I am continuing my deep relationship with the LORD. He is there for us all the way from start to finish. There will be high points where I will praise Him and there will be low points where I will pray for deliverance. Following each of those points, there are tests and rescues that are fulling in the control of the LORD. I am to continue with my part, prayer and praise to experience all that the LORD has for me.

Tested, Pray, Rescued, Praise

What tests have you been led to/through by the LORD? Are you only looking at the rescue of it all? What if you saw the entire recipe and embraced it to deepen your relationship with the LORD?

Just Respond With “Here I Am”

How often are we asked something and before we even offer to be available, we are looking for clarity first? Ex. “Can I get your help?” — “With what?”, “Will you do me a favor?” — “How can I help?” Now it may seem as though we have placed ourselves in a position of offering, when in fact we may be looking for the way out, the excuse to avoid. Abraham did not seek clarity first, he simple said to God that he was there and available.

“¹After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” — Genesis 22:1 (ESV)

I have to be better at this. I have to give the response of “here I am”. I have to just do and not look for the why or the how. I have to act and not sit on the sidelines. I have to do more.

In 2023 my word of the year was “act” and after reflection, I do not feel as though I accomplished what I set out for at the beginning of the year. I feel as though I may have sought clarity and was looking for the “perfect” opportunities. I was not saying “here I am”.

With 2023 in mind I have chosen the word “more” for 2024 with the intention of just that for the year and forward. I have to look at each opportunity as a chance to just be there and take on whatever asked. I have to get out of the mindset of picking and choosing to help and just be available to help. I know, asking how or what help is needed does not seem to be out of bounds, but as I read this morning, I see that it can be restrictive and setting up for the out.

Abraham did not qualify his availability to the LORD. He simply said “here I am” and was willing to take on whatever he was asked. He had sojourned and waited. God did not provide for Abraham at the instance he asked, Isaac came along well after God said he would have a child with Sarah. Abraham, just heard God and said he was there.

I have to do more to just be there. I have to say “here I am” more. Whether that is to God or anyone who asks, I have to be there. I have to remember that someone has asked me and I have to go, regardless of what is needed.

When have you been asked and sought clarity first? Are you maybe looking for the way out of it as opposed to looking at helping? What if you just went with “here I am” and took whatever came?

Know That God Will Rescue From Trials

God knows what He is doing. I struggle with that on a day in and day out basis. I wonder just what it is God has for me as I struggle through the days and the trials presented. I am not “in the know” and that really discourages me. I know that the end result is glory in heaven and I know that God has a plan that is perfect and that I am indeed part of that plan. But, I find myself down as I encounter trial after trial.

“⁷and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,” — 2 Peter 2:7-9 (ESV)

In the above passage I find that God does not abandon us. Lot was living in the debauchery ridden city of Sodom and struggled daily with all of the lawlessness that he witnessed or heard of that was the goings on. God knew the heart of the man and rescued him from the trial he was under. I have to continue each day with my study of God’s Word to find my encouragement to press on.

I am not going to find an easy path each and every day. I am going to find myself in the trials that God has presented to me. I will struggle with them and even at moments like this morning, I will be down as I work to understand them and try to get out of them. But, I have to remember that God has place me in this position for a reason and that reason is not necessarily for me to understand. I only have to know that when the time is right I will be delivered from the trial and move on to the next as I continue to do His will.

Where these trials are presented from God and He will deliver me from them, I still have work to do. I have the duty to work with what He gives me and do my part to complete the work He has given to me. I will be delivered when the time is right and then and only then will I have the relief I so want to have now. Without the trial, I would not develop the strength to carry on to the next and continue doing the work God has for me.

What trials are you experiencing in life? Are you seeing those trials as the end? What if you pressed on, knowing that God will provide the strength needed to endure and will deliver you when the times is right?