Hey Everybody, this will be my last blog at B4. (sniff, sniff). This transition for my family is a bittersweet one for me as I will miss many of the relationships and friendships that I have formed here. Many in this community have left a lasting impact on me and the life of my family. I’m so grateful to have walked with all of you in this season of ministry. So, thank you for inviting me into this family, even if it was for a short time. Cheers!
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Lord Have Mercy
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, Lord, how long?
4Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.
David is such a comfort (or at least he should be) to followers of Jesus. In just a couple sentences he touches on both the powerful wrath of God, and the compassionate, father's heart of God. He seems to strike that balance so well—that God is to be respected and revered, but also that we are to approach him with our needs, believing that his mercy will alway triumph over his wrath. For our God is “Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in mercy." David understood this. Or at least he understood the extreme of both of these aspects of God.
David passionately reacted and expressed himself to God with raw emotion and expressive honesty.
I can’t help but think that in my own life I miss the point, or that I have effectively grown up with the idea that “passionate” expression isn’t the way of Jesus. That we are supposed to be “nice,” even-keeled, balanced, appropriate, and careful at all times. But looking at David and how he lived his life, this wasn’t the case; and if he’s one of our primary examples of a life that honors God, maybe “nice” isn’t what we should be striving for most.
I’m not saying we should speak without thinking, or make poor decisions just to turn around and grovel at the feet of God in true repentance. BUT, what I am saying is that God wants us to live boldly and passionately! With great humility, but also with great confidence. And when we make mistakes, we need to come to Jesus with our sin, and acknowledge our brokenness. In turn, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to make us stronger, better, and more empowered.
Jesus extended mercy to us forever, so that we could be like him.
Bold, strong, joyful, and Free.
Thanks for reading,
Jon
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