Are there followers of Christ who lack divine mercy?
You can be counted or recognized as one among the great multitudes following Christ, yet fail to enjoy divine mercy. Many gospel ministers and faithful followers of Christ lack divine mercy. They suffer reproach, shame, and disgrace whilst following Christ.
Many believers have died without being delivered. Many deliverance candidates pray all kinds of prayers but omit the prayer of mercy. Many people are isolated and desolated, and many among them have died without obtaining divine mercy. Some have heard about Jesus, taught others about Jesus, and are still following Jesus, but they have not obtained divine mercy.
What can we learn from blind Bartimaeus’ cry for mercy?
Blind Bartimaeus had just heard about Jesus and utilized the opportunity immediately. In his affliction, he cried for mercy from the highway. Where he was when he cried for mercy is not better than where many believers are now. It will be very disappointing or shameful to be among the multitude following Christ and yet die in your affliction. Medical doctors who knew the impossibility of blind Bartimaeus’ case tried to shut him up, but he resisted vehemently. He cried even more until Christ waited to attend to him. He prayed a direct prayer of mercy, ‘Lord, that I might receive my sight.’
“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise”. Luke 10:30-37
Why are some believers still under affliction?
So many believers and ordained priests appear to be very close to Christ, but they are afflicted because they refuse to show mercy. Your deliverance may not depend on many prayers, fasting, or engaging in church work. You may need to show mercy to your neighbors and people around you.
The Bible says in the Book of Matthew that the merciful shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7). Being merciful is a criterion for receiving mercy.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores“. Luke 16:19-21
What are the consequences of not showing mercy to others?
Many rich people, both in the church and around us, will not make heaven because they refuse to show mercy. Some wealthy spend millions on medical treatment, yet their sickness or afflictions increase daily. They employ prayer contractors but refuse to show mercy to the needy around them.
Being Kind and Merciful to others can influence your deliverance.
Kindness to others in the form of sharing wealth with people in need can influence the deliverance of a man. When you show others mercy, deliverance becomes easy.
“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow“. Philippians 2:25-27
Many wealthy people in our churches today have fleets of cars, yet their pastors are trekking. They have all it takes to liberate those going through hard times around them. Such rich people may be dealing with one disgraceful impediment or a sinful character that may have refused to go. Their deliverance could depend on showing a little mercy to an isolated minister or the neglected. It could be taking the responsibility of providing medical treatment for someone who needs medical care.
Remember, our question is: who are those who need mercy? Already, we have seen that the weak, the needy, the lonely, reproachful, the afflicted, and all sinners need God’s mercy. Now, let us talk about the land that needs mercy.
“Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people“. Deuteronomy 32:43