IN WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY! (4)

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2). Habakkuk lives in a time of national corruption and looming judgment. He knows God must punish sin. He does not deny God’s justice. Yet, he appeals to God’s heart of compassion who has repeatedly saved His rebellious people. This short prayer for revival balances two divine attributes that never clash: God’s righteous wrath and His steadfast mercy. God’s judgment through Babylon would not cancel His promises. His mercy will be revealed by bringing back a remnant. The present-day Israelites are descendants of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. The other “10 tribes” were lost in Assyria.  Ultimately, God’s mercy would be displayed in the salvation He provides through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

Mercy is defined as showing kindness, compassion, or forgiveness to your enemy when it is within your power to punish him. Compassion means helping those who are suffering, the poor, or the vulnerable. In Hebrew, the word mercy (compassion) is “rahamim”. It means tender feelings from the deepest part, like a mother’s womb sired for her child. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, Yet I will not forget you” (Isa 49:15). There is difference between Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting the punishment that you actually deserve. Grace is receiving a good gift or blessings that you did not earn or deserve. Sin is real. God’s mercy is equally real and freely given. Grace is associated with men in their sins. Mercy is especially associated with men in their misery. Grace sees the sins. Mercy sees the whole, including the consequences of sins. Mercy has compassion, pity, on the suffering sinner but it is not just a feeling, it is active help. Why is God’s Mercy certain? Because it is grounded on God’s nature and not on human merit. God is indeed merciful! Mercy is promised to all who truly repent of their sins and turn to God. God’s wrath and mercy coexist in perfect harmony, and they met at the Cross! Jesus died so that God’s mercy flows to sinners (Tit3:4,5)

WHAT TO DO WHEN FEET STUMBLE?

“Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Ps 73:1-3). Asaph, a Levite appointed by David to lead Israel’s worship, wrote from the perspective of one who knew both the sanctuary and the struggles of faith. He writes here how he experienced painful confusion over the prosperity of the wicked and transitioned to renewed confidence in God’s justice and mercy. These feelings may have come by looking at the worship service in Solomon’s temple in the midst of growing corruption in society. Asaph was envious of the arrogant and disturbed by the prosperity of the wicked. He assumed that if you are upright and pure in heart, cleansed by His grace, then God would be good to you, take care of you, and watch over you. Instead, the wicked around him seemed to prosper. This situation created deep resentment and envy in his heart. He found himself threatened with unbelief. His feet had almost slipped; he had almost stumbled. He was almost ready to renounce his faith. Even now, there are many Christians who are troubled like this. They have been shaken by the seeming logic of unbelievers or the atheists who say: “If God has all Power and God is Love, why does God not correct injustices? Why does God allow His people to suffer so much while the unbelievers become successful in life?” These are the issues we must study now…  

Asaph begins with the settled truth that directs the entire psalm. God’s goodness toward Israel rests on His covenant faithfulness, displayed in redemption, provision, protection and discipline. Even when circumstances appear to contradict His goodness, the Lord remains faithful to His people. The truth is that God’s favour belongs to those who are pure in heart. These are the sincere and honest believers who are devoted to God from their hearts. Purity of heart does not describe sinless perfection, but an undivided commitment to God, rejecting hypocrisy and seeking God above all earthly advantage. The Lord sees beyond outward worship to the motives, desires, and faith of His people. Lessons: Despite life’s challenges and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, God’s goodness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, love remain constant. We can trust in His character and His promises. A pure heart is essential for experiencing God’s goodness. “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God” (Matt 5:8; AMP). God’s goodness extends to all who are in Christ Jesus! Praise the Lord!

Asaph turns from the settled truth of God’s goodness to Israel to the inner conflict that shakes his own faith. His honesty reveals that even a worship leader may struggle to reconcile God’s righteousness with what he sees in the world. Envy over the prosperity of the wicked had nearly shaken his confidence in divine justice. Asaph had not abandoned the Lord, but he came close to losing spiritual stability. The crisis would be answered when he entered God’s sanctuary seeing the present circumstances thru God’s perspective, when considering the end of the wicked and the believer’s eternal portion in God. Lessons: It is important to attend a living church, for fellowship, to worship and seek God’s presence together for clarity and strength. We see that despite appearances, God’s justice prevails. We must trust in God’s ultimate plan and His timing. Cultivating contentment and gratitude helps maintain a firm spiritual footing. Recognize early warning signs of stumbling: covetousness, comparison, envy, greed, bitterness. Focus on God’s character and His eternal justice. Trust God to help you!

Celebrate God’s preserving mercy and grace. He catches us before we fall. “If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up” (Ps 94:18). To say: “My foot slips” reveals a moment of instability, weakness and vulnerability, just before falling into sin or bowing down to fear when passing great trials. We must acknowledge human weakness and the constant threat of stumbling in life’s journey. We all need divine help in maintaining spiritual focus. Asaph recognizes that God’s mercy kept him. God’s faithful covenant love meets His people at the point of their weakness. The LORD does not abandon those who call upon Him, even when circumstances appear unstable. His mercy rests on His unchanging character and His commitment to preserve those who belong to Him. God actively upholds the believer before the fall becomes final. “The LORD upholds all those [of His own] who fall And raises up all those who are bowed down” (Ps 145:14; AMP). The LORD acts with compassion toward those crushed by affliction, humbled by repentance, or burdened under oppression. Israel knew seasons of bondage, exile, warfare, and grief; God’s character assured them that He sees the lowly and raises them in His time. On earth, Jesus displayed His mercy in His ministry to the weary, afflicted, and repentant, inviting all who labor and are heavy laden to find rest in Him (Matt 11:28). Now, Jesus helps the weak who draw close to Him by His intercession as our Great High Priest in Heaven (Heb 7:25).

“If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children” (Ps 73:15). Asaph had wrestled openly before God with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Yet he recognized that publicly declaring his doubts as settled truth would misrepresent God’s faithfulness and shake the faith of other believers. His restraint shows wisdom, since words can wound faith or strengthen it, especially when spoken by one entrusted with leading God’s people in worship. Rather than spreading confusion, Asaph brought his burden into God’s presence, where his perspective was corrected and his confidence in God restored. His hesitation to speak reflects a deep awareness of his responsibility as a spiritual leader. Lessons: Our words have the potential to build up or tear down the faith of others. As believers, we must be careful not to lead others astray with our doubts or struggles. Selah!

“When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me. 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end” (Ps 73:16,17). Asaph’s painful comparison between the righteous and the prosperous wicked was corrected as he came before the Lord in the sanctuary, at the place appointed for worship, sacrifice and the revelation of God’s Word. He saw it that the wicked may flourish for a season, but apart from God’s mercy, their life ends in destruction. Their prosperity and security are unstable and their downfall is sudden. God’s justice, thoughts and plans are beyond our immediate understanding. Human wisdom alone is limited and leaves us frustrated. This is The Turning Point for Asaph: “Until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their end”. The word “until” marks the decisive change. Clarity began the moment when he stepped into God’s presence. “The Sanctuary” is where God revealed Himself through His Word. Here Asaph’s perspective shifted from temporal appearances to eternal realities. We see that understanding is granted, and not self-generated. It flows from worship and communion with the Lord. “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Ps 36:9).

Truth received in worship stabilizes the heart, turning envy into eternal hope!

How to enter God’s sanctuary now? Study and mediate on God’s Word. Fast and pray. Attend a local living church. Submit to God’s Word for the revelation to be released and to be transformed. Reject rebellion in your heart. These are some Promises Connected with Seeking God’s Presence: 1-God guides you and make your paths straight (PV 3:6). 2- God gives you wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him” (Jam 1:5). 3-God gives Joy, Peace, Assurance of salvation and strength. “You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Ps 16:11); “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength” (Is 40:31).

“Surely, You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” (Ps 73:18,19). The downfall of the wicked may come suddenly in history, as Babylon and other proud nations have discovered. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and deceptive. In Hebrew, the word “slippery places” means any type of success built apart from God. It is something that will betray you, is unpredictable and unstable ground, where it is impossible to stand on for long. These are examples of present slippery grounds: Financial empires built on fraud; Celebrity status, fame gained thru immorality; Political power rooted in corruption, and any wealth made by breaking God’s commands. All these appear stable, yet at the sovereign moment they collapse, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately, but always decisively. God Himself places the wicked there; their downfall is not random but divinely appointed. The judgment is swift. God judges all rebellion against Him. We must trust in God’s timing for justice. This revelation points to the final judgment of all who remain opposed to God. This is the warning of Love!

Finally, Asaph was revived. He has the right perspective now.  He left the sanctuary encouraged, aware of God’s justice and his own secure destiny. The same assurance is available to us today. Whatever challenges arise, truth encountered in God’s presence reorients the mind, calms the heart, and fuels steadfast obedience and faithfulness! “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7). What looks like delay is God’s Mercy, giving space for repentance. But when His set time arrives, for the unrepentant, the fall is irreversible. What glitters today may vanish tomorrow, but those who anchor themselves in the Lord stand firm forever!

JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT Matt 8:5-13

A centurion was a military officer with authority over 100 soldiers, serving in the Roman Empire. He is like a Captain in the army these days. Such an officer possessed social standing and power, yet he came personally to Jesus. Luke records that he loved the Jewish people and had helped build their synagogue (Lk 7:2–5). The centurion brought his need to Jesus with humility rather than command. Though used to give orders, he recognized Christ’s higher authority. His appeal for his suffering servant shows unusual compassion for a man of his rank. He had faith, and confidence that Jesus heals by His word. He sees Jesus as Lord, God, and Supreme Power. He takes great risk by calling Jesus Lord, above Ceasar, his master on earth. The centurion’s faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries, showing that true faith is recognized by God regardless of one’s background. The centurion acknowledges Jesus’ authority, understanding that His word alone is sufficient to heal. The centurion pleading shows the importance of interceding for others in prayer. His concern for his servant shows a model of compassionate leadership that values and cares for those under one’s authority. The servant’s suffering has brought a private crisis into the centurion’s household. The officer cannot remedy the situation through military authority, wealth, or Roman resources, so he turns to Jesus. Human strength reaches its limit before sickness and death, but Christ’s authority does not. Lessons: Jesus does not remain distant from human pain. His healing power shows God’s mercy pointing forward to His bearing of human grief and sin through the cross!

“Lord, I am not worthy…” Though used to commanding others, he confessed his personal unworthiness before Jesus. His humility showed that he understood Jesus was not just a healer but One whose holiness and power placed Him above every earthly rank. “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed”. The centurion believed that Jesus exercised authority without limitation of distance. As a soldier he understood that commands were carried out because of the authority behind them. He knew that sickness obeys the command of Christ. As a solider, he understood the Authority of Jesus. He has genuine faith in Jesus and His Word, trusting the unseen realm over visible assurances. “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]” (Heb 11:1; AMP).

This is how the Centurion had faith in Jesus: 1- There is a Military Chain of Command – As a commander of 100 soldiers, he issues orders that travel instantly down the ranks. Obedience follows! There is no negotiation! He recognizes that Jesus operates with the same, but higher authority in the spiritual realm. 2- The Spoken Word is a Command – “Just say the word” shows that for a solider, a verbal order carries full weight and must be obeyed. Distance is irrelevant. Healing at a distance shows faith that Jesus created the universe (Gen 1:3). “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps 107:20). Jesus has mercy and still heals men by faith His Word. 3- He has Confidence in Christ’s Sovereignty. He believes Jesus commands illness the way an army general commands his troops.

“He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col 1:15-17). The word “consist” means that in Christ, all things hold together. He is the controlling factor of the whole universe in a harmonious whole. The order, endurance, and purpose of creation depend upon His present rule, not merely upon an act completed in the past. Christ is not distant from the world nor subordinate to any created power; all things remain under His authority and are directed toward His purposes. Worship the Lord!

Jesus commends his faith as greater and purer than what He had found in Israel. This is because he is a foreigner to the covenant of Isreal. He did not trust human help or religious words. He trusted Christ and His Word alone! The Jewish elders demanded signs (Matt 12:38) for Jesus to prove Himself as the Messiah. Yet, the centurion asks for no sign. The Leper asked healing by the touch of Jesus (Matt 8:2). The centurion asks only for the commanding word. The disciples in the boat panicked during the storm. This foreign officer simply rests in Jesus’ authority with no anxiety. The centurion becomes a model for genuine faith unhindered by religious ritual, sight, or heritage, and rooted only in Christ’s word! He points to the Gentiles who will be members of God’s Kingdom.

Lessons: We must trust God’s Word above all circumstances. God’s promises remain effective irrespective of distance, time or visible sings. Come to Jesus with humble boldness. Acknowledge your unworthiness yet draw near, trusting His power and mercy. Recognize Jesus’ Ultimate Authority over sickness, sin, or storms, His command is final. “Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP). Our faith must be humble, strong, centred on God’s Word, seeing the unseen King of kings, and bowing to His matchless eternal authority! Worship the Lord!

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name!

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand!

All other ground is sinking sand!

(By Edward Mote, 1863)