October 20, 2012 (Psalm 4:5)

Author: Andrew Comiskey
October 20, 2012
‘Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord’ (Ps. 4:5)

Broken and contrite spirits make room for others. They lead out with mercy because they rely upon mercy. As we learn to live under the shadow of the cross, we discover like Bonheoffer ‘that no sin can ever be alien to us’, meaning, we brim with hope for everyone fallen soul who has yet to turn to the Lord. We await them alongside of us at Calvary.

How wonderful for parents and friends of those caught in idolatry to draw upon the wealth of mercy stored up in them from years of turning to the Source. Though deeply personal, mercy is also objective, as its Source never changes and will be ever true to those who turn to Him. He gives each of us the dignity of choice. But we know that God hears our prayers of mercy for loved ones, and our encouragement of them to trust wholly in Him. He is on the move.

Following his fresh reception of mercy, David declares: ‘Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.’ (Ps. 51: 12, 13)

‘Stir up the gift of Your mercy in us, that our hearts might freely extend that mercy to loved ones. Release the spirit of repentance upon those far away; may our prayerful love draw them near. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we confess our sins of cowardice and compromise. We have violated Your holy commands in regards to what we have done to our bodies and other bodies. And in our compromise we have become cowards, unwilling to stand for what we know to be true for the dignity of all. We ask that You might have mercy on Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington; uphold marriage in these states, and in our nation, as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on ‘gay marriage.’
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