DON’T ASK FOR MERCY—OBTAIN IT
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Mark 10:46-52 tells the remarkable story of the healing of a certain blind man named Bartimaeus. One day, as the Lord Jesus and His disciples were leaving the city of Jericho, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside, begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many people around him rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus shouted even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and called for Bartimaeus to come to Him. Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and approached Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Moved by Bartimaeus’ faith, Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight. He pleaded with the Master to have mercy on him, and it worked.
But unlike Bartimaeus, today, as a new creation in Christ, you don’t need to cry, pray or “beg” the Lord for mercy; you have obtained mercy. Hallelujah! Recall what we read in our opening scripture. In Christ, abundant mercy has been given to us before we even thought to ask for it. And if you ever felt like you required His mercy for anything, Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
What a remarkable truth! We’re not told to ask for mercy; we’re told to obtain it. It has already been made available to us in Christ, and we simply take what has been given. So, how much mercy do you want? How much grace do you need, and for what do you require it? You don’t have to beg for it; just collect it! This is amazing because it shows us the lavishness of God’s provision. He gave us mercy and grace before we even had the sense to ask. All we need is to receive. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I rejoice in the abundant mercy I’ve obtained in Christ and His superabundant grace which has made me sufficient in all things. Even now, I obtain mercy for the salvation of sinners around the world today—the hardest of hearts, the wayward, the wicked—that they may turn from their ways and embrace the light of the glorious Gospel, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Chronicles 16:34, Romans 5:17, Ephesians 2:4-5
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 14:1-26; Numbers 24-26
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 21:18-32, Exodus 18
