For His Name’s Sake

Sunday, March 5: ⁴Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Psalm 23:4-6

What is Mercy? Do any of us have it?

As a spiritual gift, mercy motivates a person to deeply care about others in physical, spiritual, or emotional need. Because they care, they act, helping with the need that they perceive.

How many times have we heard or seen people in need? More times than I can count. But it isn’t the counting that matters, it’s the reaching out that counts.

When we see our friends in black and hug them, we don’t make their loss go away, but we help them to bear it. When we drop off soup to someone too sick to cook, we help them recover. When we go to a ballgame with children from a home that is breaking up, we don’t stop the divorce, but we soften a few of its sharp edges.

We are merciful because we’ve been shown mercy. We care because someone cared for us so much he gave us his only son. And two thousand year ago, He carried our sins, just as he helps us carry our sorrows today.

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me besides still waters.

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Amen

Written for my friend, Doris and her Ralph, that they should find mercy overflowing this Lent.

Dennis Blazak

Joyjoywrld57@msn.com