I read a book a few years ago entitled Praying the Jesus Prayer Together by Brother Ramon and Simon Barrington Ward. In reading it I became more intensely aware of humanity's need for the mercy of God. My mother had ovarian cancer and I remember looking at the people in a waiting room at the Oncologist's (Cancer Doctor). Mother was taking chemo and I saw young. middle aged, senior citizens and so many of them have cancer. I am sure that there is great fear, anxiety, depression and I found myself praying silently for them, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on all here".
All people need the mercy of Jesus. As Christians though redeemed by the blood of the Lamb we realize that in and of ourselves we are helpless, unable to handle our problems, unable to overcome the Devil, and Sin. We have to continue to cry out daily "Lord have mercy on me!"
In the Psalms we learn we need to cry out and rely on the Mercy of God
Psalm 6:2 (NIV) Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
Psalm 9:13(NIV)Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death,
Psalm 51:1(NIV) Have mercy upon me, O God,According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
Sin, sickness, disease and death remind us of our own mortality and inabilities. I saw in a Cancer Center waiting room a few years ago, crucifixes with the risen Christ everywhere. It was a powerful reminder for the Christian that sin, cancer and death have been overcome by the Cross of Christ. Jesus rising from the dead will give all who have trusted Him as Savior complete healing on the Resurrection Day. May we cry out and rely on the Mercy of God daily and never be self reliant people but people who cling and depend upon Jesus daily. For the child of God when he or she cries out for the mercy of Christ we rest with assurance on the promise of the Word of God.
Psalm 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy upon all who are afflicted by Cancer!
