Lord, Have Mercy - Michael W Smith, Amy Grant

It all starts with the guitar solo for me. It's not long, but it says instrumentally in 8 bars what the rest of the song cries out with such clear passion.

Bill Crew was one of my ministry profs. His Synoptic Gospels class included a section on the Beatitudes.

Jesus in Matthew 5:6...
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Brother Crew, as we called him, taught us that the word for poor was the Greek ptochos, a cringing beggar. Possessing nothing, left to beg and trust and hope. I've never forgotten...

I think we've become too much about victory. I'm all about succeeding, sure, but there's this other side of faith which is deeply humble and thankful and dependent on God for every good thing. It's as though when we stop seeing the cringing beggar inside of us, we stop seeing needy people around us.

Perhaps the most disconnected thing God can do is let us climb the success ladder and think it's all about us. Perhaps the most compassionate thing God can do is let us stumble and meet us there.

[to listen, right click and choose "open link in new window/tab"]

Lord, Have Mercy

Jesus, I've forgotten the words that You have spoken
Promises that burned within my heart have now grown dim
With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom
Forgive me for my unbelief
Renew the fire again

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me

I have built an altar where I worship things of men
I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from You
Now I am returning to Your mercies ever flowing
Pardon my transgressions
Help me love You again

I have longed to know You and Your tender mercies
Like a river of forgiveness ever flowing without end
I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your presence
Your grace forever shining
Like a beacon in the night