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From
the November, 2006 edition of The Chapel newsletter
by
Paul Casto
“Mercy and
Truth“
We look around us and see the evil men do to others. They hate,
not because of some religious difference, but because their
hearts are evil continually. They murder, rape, torture,
enslave, steal, lie, cheat and all manner of evil against their
neighbor. They do it in the name of their god, their religion,
their nation, or just their selfish lusts. We see it in the wars
that rage around the world. We see it in the streets of our
cities. We see it in our neighborhoods. Yes, we even see it in
ourselves. We say we want what they have and we deserve to have
it. We think we are better than they are because of our
birthright or achievements or education or sacrifices or
service. We are angered by someone who has annoyed us by their
driving, or by the long lines at the store, or even in the
church pew as a child cries while we are trying to worship.
We turn to God and
ask, “Don’t you see them doing that? Don’t you hear them saying
that? How can you let this go on?” Then we ask the worst
question of all, “Don’t you care?” This is not new. Christ’s
disciples in a boat and fearing for their lives, asked Jesus the
same thing.
In life there can be times of trouble, misery, and hardship, to
the point of despair:
Lamentations 3:19,20
Remembering
mine affliction and my misery,
the wormwood and the gall.
My soul hath [them] still in remembrance,
and is humbled in me.
But we do have
hope, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, and salvation:
Lamentations 3:21-26
This I recall
to my mind,
therefore have I hope.
[It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
[They are] new every morning:
great [is] thy faithfulness.
The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him,
to the soul [that] seeketh him.
[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly
wait for the salvation of the LORD.
The truth is that
God does see, He does hear, and He does care. This is our hope.
Psalms 85:9,10
Surely his
salvation [is] nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell
in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness
and peace have kissed [each other].
Wait on the Lord.
He is faithful and true. He will not fail you now or ever. His
mercy and His truth are sure and never ending. He is our hope!
Paul Casto
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