Mark 10:46–52 (The Message)
They spent some time in Jericho.
As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. 47 When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” 48 Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.” They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” 50 Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said, “What can I do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.” In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.
Jesus son of David have mercy on me!
All the voices, moods, and feelings say “Stop!”
But I’m gonna say “Start!” I’m gonna call out—
Jesus son of David have mercy on me! Jesus son of David, have mercy on me.
And, Jesus calls us over: Good morning, dear friend, what do you want?
Thank you for coming by, Lord Jesus. I know you are here!. Thanks for asking me what I would like. You’ve already promised me power, love, and they sound mind. That’s what I would like today. Especially. A sound mind that knows you are God.
As in, be still. And know that I am God?
Yes, I thank you. I like that Paul says, “When I am weak then I am strong.” Withevery attempt by me of trying to be strong, I seem to get in my own way—Tripping all over myself.
LORD, you promise I can make a plan and you will order my steps. (Proverbs 16:9) So I’m going to lean on your promise today here at The Promise Center (virtual hangout). I am planning my way. my plan and hope today is____________________________________ .–(At this point, I make a list and then feet overwhelmed and hear more negative voices)
So, dear friend, what do you really want?
I want your name to be hallowed, your will to be done, and your kingdom to come. I want that today and for the rest of my life. I want to get good at telling the voices NO and at yelling louder and louder, “Jesus son of David have mercy on me!”
That’s great! We are helping you do this. Your wish is granted. Your faith is making you whole—It has already made you whole! Go. (Go=Greek: hupago—go-under)
Yes, the voices you hear in your head are a lot like the crowd that tried to stop Bartimaeus from crying out to me.
Thank you for always restoring my soul and for leading me in paths of righteousness—Past the resistance.
The voice that stops me is usually the voice to procrastinate. Do the DMV form and follow up on the insurance form later. Do something you like now. As the paper work piles up, I realize I am negligent.
You don’t need to read the Bible now. You already know more Bible than you will obey. But the Spirit whispers, yea, that disobedience needs a dose of “living and active” truth to cut out the disobedience. And sure enough the small dose of scripture does some clean up work and prompts prayer of thanksgiving for God’s mercy with my excuses.
Thank you, Tim!
And, thank you, LORD—Holy Spirit—for living inside and walking alongside to lead us in paths of righteousness. You are illuminating us—especially through your Holy Scriptures.