Some of you may have heard this before, but this was new to me. I found the lyrics moving, and very meaningful. I try to include many different styles of music on our musical Fridays, so I hope everyone hears something that they like sometimes!
I can't count the broken roads I've been down
But all I know
Something had to give
Something had to give
'Cause living my life so wild and free
Finally caught up
Oh it left me broken, left me hopeless
But that's where I met Jesus
In one moment everything changed
Who I was got washed away when mercy found me
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me
When mercy found me
All those days, all those doubts
They don't seem to matter now
His grace is all I need
His grace is all I need
And the chains that I was in before
They don't hold me anymore
His love has set me free
My mind found peace
My soul found hope
My heart found a home
In one moment everything changed
Who I was got washed away when mercy found me
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me
Showing posts with label mercy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mercy. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2013
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Prov 20 : 28 A lesson for tyrants
Pro 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.
When you think back through history about good kings and bad kings, there are some things that stand out. Those who try to rule through despotism -- cruelty, scheming, an "iron fist" --- they not only have troubles within their borders, but they have troubles outside their borders as well. They are notorious for being devious, and not honoring their promises, so rulers of neighboring lands would just as soon conquer and forget them!
On the other hand, there are those kings who utilize mercy, truth, and faithfulness in their dealings with their own subjects, and with other rulers. They are faithful to their words, and can be counted on to honor their commitments. They have compassion on the distressed (there's the mercy), and they make sure that the law of the land is upheld. They also are steady as a rock on the administration of justice (there's the truth) in their land.
Solomon says that these characteristics will preserve the king --- they'll definitely preserve the affections of the people toward him; and that his throne will be established and secure.
Hmmmm.....as I was typing the characteristics of the good kings, I realized that those were a pretty good list of characteristics for us to aspire to! Kinda reminds me of what Paul said:
When you think back through history about good kings and bad kings, there are some things that stand out. Those who try to rule through despotism -- cruelty, scheming, an "iron fist" --- they not only have troubles within their borders, but they have troubles outside their borders as well. They are notorious for being devious, and not honoring their promises, so rulers of neighboring lands would just as soon conquer and forget them!
On the other hand, there are those kings who utilize mercy, truth, and faithfulness in their dealings with their own subjects, and with other rulers. They are faithful to their words, and can be counted on to honor their commitments. They have compassion on the distressed (there's the mercy), and they make sure that the law of the land is upheld. They also are steady as a rock on the administration of justice (there's the truth) in their land.
Solomon says that these characteristics will preserve the king --- they'll definitely preserve the affections of the people toward him; and that his throne will be established and secure.
Hmmmm.....as I was typing the characteristics of the good kings, I realized that those were a pretty good list of characteristics for us to aspire to! Kinda reminds me of what Paul said:
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;The words may be slightly different, but I'm hearing "mercy" and "truth" in there. And how about this from James:
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.Now, here is your homework (I'm such a meanie!): pick one good king and one not-so-good king, either from the Bible or from secular history, and note what they did wrong or right. Now give some thought to what you can do better in your earthly "kingdom" --- the area of your world where you are the authority. Leave me a quick comment and let's compare notes.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Proverbs 14: 22 Trying to get away with it . .
Pro 14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
I really got a lot out of today's verse, and I hope that you will, too. I believe that the key to understanding what Solomon was trying to say, is the meaning of the word "devise" in the verse. The Hebrew root of this word is to scratch; it implies to plow, or to fabricate. It carries the negative implication, Matthew Henry's commentary mentions, of doing this in silence. Hmmmm . . . sounds like someone planning or scheming to me.
Someone who is trying to hide something . . .
Have you ever known someone who thinks that they can get away with their sin? That somehow thinks they can scheme and devise a way to hide it from God? They think that they can fool God; they somehow think He won't know what they are up to. They continue to plot and plan and are smug in their belief that God can't see their sin, and won't know. Well, have we got news for them! The God that this verse is about won't have any trouble keeping up with their shenanigans:
The flip side is in contrast to the ones who devise evil --- the ones who devise good! I think I would rather be one that scratches around, finding ways to do good, and show mercy, and love others. Wouldn't you? Look at the reward there . . . "mercy and truth." That's not just a theory, or guesswork; it's a promise from God.
I really got a lot out of today's verse, and I hope that you will, too. I believe that the key to understanding what Solomon was trying to say, is the meaning of the word "devise" in the verse. The Hebrew root of this word is to scratch; it implies to plow, or to fabricate. It carries the negative implication, Matthew Henry's commentary mentions, of doing this in silence. Hmmmm . . . sounds like someone planning or scheming to me.
Have you ever known someone who thinks that they can get away with their sin? That somehow thinks they can scheme and devise a way to hide it from God? They think that they can fool God; they somehow think He won't know what they are up to. They continue to plot and plan and are smug in their belief that God can't see their sin, and won't know. Well, have we got news for them! The God that this verse is about won't have any trouble keeping up with their shenanigans:
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.And how about this one:
Amo 9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom . . .That doesn't leave a lot of room for outwitting God, does it? Now, let's look at the other side of the coin . . .
The flip side is in contrast to the ones who devise evil --- the ones who devise good! I think I would rather be one that scratches around, finding ways to do good, and show mercy, and love others. Wouldn't you? Look at the reward there . . . "mercy and truth." That's not just a theory, or guesswork; it's a promise from God.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Yes, God is faithful; He is true to His word, and He has promised us mercy. You can hang your hat on that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)