Have Mercy

In the Deep South I’ve heard it said, “Lawd how mercy”! It was also shortened to “have mercy”, but the implication was always asking the LORD for mercy. What a great simple prayer over anyone or anything. The Lord is the Great Dispenser of Mercy!  He is JUST, but He also shows MERCY.

The people of Israel have been punished for their sin against the Lord. They have been taken captive and their homes wiped out. After years of captivity, they are about to be restored and brought back home by the Lord. Check this out….

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”

25 “So this is what the Lord God says: Now I will bring the people of Jacob back from captivity, and I will have mercy on the whole nation of Israel. I will not let them dishonor me. 26 The people will forget their shame and how they rejected me when they live again in safety on their own land with no one to make them afraid. 27 I will bring the people back from other lands and gather them from the lands of their enemies. So I will use my people to show many nations that I am holy. 28 Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them into captivity among the nations, but then I brought them back to their own land, leaving no one behind. 29 I will not turn away from them anymore, because I will put my Spirit into the people of Israel, says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 39:25-29 NCV)

This passage spoke to my heart because I’ve strayed from the Lord on more than one occasion. I’ve been taken captive by sin. I’ve hurt the Lord’s heart. He is ALWAYS so patient with my stumbling and bumbling through this journey.  My favorite part of this whole passage is: “I will put my Spirit in the people…”  That is a huge game-changer. The Lord has put His Spirit in me. When I’m drawn to sin or my head gets turned toward sin, the Holy Spirit is there pointing it out to help me run from temptation. I absolutely love the Mercy and Grace of God. He pours Mercy all over me and if Grace were an ocean, I would be drowning in it! I want to cultivate the Spirit of God in my heart. I want His Spirit to show in my actions and attitudes today and every day. All of me belongs to HIM!