Text: Psalm 20:7-8 KJV
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psalm 20:7-8 KJV
MESSAGE
In the popular old Christian hymn “My Hope Is built on nothing less”, a particular line gave us the perfect picture for our instruction this morning. The line says I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. Many have turned to their sweet frame only to discover that:
The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT
Friends, What brings a man to the right place at right time is mercy. Not sweet frame, not great planning and organisation skills but mercy. What disqualifies the fastest runner sometimes is not the lack of ability but a withdrawal of mercy. Is it not contrasting that sometimes we look at some people’s lives and wonder how they can become what they became, we are sure they have no merit to get it – they simply received mercy.
From yesterday’s lesson, we saw how mercy gave Joseph favour in Potiphar’s house. God’s mercy was sufficient for Joseph and he became a manager of the estate – mercy made him prosper in everything he does. Some may say that Joseph was only lucky, the truth is that men who have received mercy must be lucky. But was he also lucky in the prison? No, God gave him mercy there also and brought him favour – there also he became a leader.
The truth is that mercy has a way of opening the doors that muscular power and human machinery cannot. It gives a man what his power cannot give him. It was Mercy that opened the palace doors and made a slave governor in a foreign nation. Can his ability fetch him such a promotion? No, it is mercy.
May we receive mercy for our lives this morning in Jesus Name. Are you without a sweet frame, and not super intelligent? Do you lack special abilities and you wonder what will become of your future? Relax, all you need is to obtain mercy and you are sure that fulfilling God’s purpose for your life will be possible.
A man would continue to struggle with machinery, skills, and methods without any tangible success to show for it. Such must run under the cover of mercy. Emphasizing mercy however is no means of discouraging great virtues and excellence, what it means is that despite those uncommon abilities, a man needs mercy to achieve his dreams and become what God intends for his life.
Seek mercy strong man, quit relying on your strength which could be intellect, skills, or whatever. Allow God to show you mercy. Mercy can neither be underlooked nor overlooked, therefore in all things seek mercy.
REFLECTION
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia. Ezra 9:9.
Only mercy can bring slaves into favour with kings. Meditate upon these words and pray for God’s mercy.
May God be merciful unto you and bless you this morning. Have a glorious weekend.
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