From the middle of the storm, a poem was birthed. The words are few but given for any who wonder at the waves they face. His compassion pours forth, and OH! His love comes rushing when each child calls.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 NIV
Have mercy on me Oh God
The tears burned heavy on my face
As the heat crawled up my neck
Humiliation roared in my ears
Like the tempest of the storm
Have mercy on me Oh God
His voice burned heavy in my heart
As the words He spoke to my ears
“Stay here sit with Me”
Fell as a mystery in the pain
Have mercy on me Oh God
The pain had pinned me down
As the shame blackened my heart
There was no way out
No striving could bring an escape
Have mercy on me Oh God
Why have You forsaken me, My Father?
Naked HE hung
He chose the cup drinking
Humiliation that was meant for me.
I have been bought with a price
Purchase won by blood
His body offered for me
I give my body back
The receiving and the offering
And the rivers roar
And the healing washes
And the rescue comes
Have mercy on me OH GOD
It was mercy that held Him there.
It is mercy that holds me here
Humiliation lifted, Humility born
In the bosom of my Lord.
–bg
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:15-17
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-29 NIV
I am so grateful for all of your prayers for and with me over these changing seasons, as I prepare for new medications once again. My Lord is such a merciful God, full of compassion for each one of us.
Today I would like to pray for you:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for each hurting heart that might read these words today. If they are a good friend of mine, or if they are a stranger that I have never met, my heart’s cry for them is the same: Would You wrap them in Your arms today? Would You give them a glimpse of Your Calvary love? I ask that You would show them how valuable they are to You. I ask that You would show them what has been won for them at the cross. I ask that You would rescue each heart and lift away their shame and humiliation. Birth in them Your life of love. Thank You for the gift of Your body broken for each broken soul.
In the name of Your precious son, Jesus, I pray,
Amen.
I am linking with:
So beautifully presented as the Cross of Calvary a form of humility and as evidence of His love.
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Thank you Regina. He truly has loved us so deeply and bought such a precious life for us. Blessings to you Dear Sister.
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Lovely poem Bettie, one born from suffering both Jesus’ & yours… When we have chronic pain we get a little glimpse of understanding into His…
Blessings,
Jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. I am so blessed that He does bring us His own dear glimpses through these paths of suffering when we look up to Him. Blessings and prayers for you also.
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Yes, it’s focusing upon Him in these times.
Blessings…
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Oh sweet sister, what a beautiful heart cry. I sensed the washing, the peace as you closed the poem. My favorite lines, ‘It was mercy that held him there, it is mercy that holds me here’
Have a blessed day, Bettie.
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Dear Julie,
OH yes He is all mercy for and in us, isn’t He? I am so thankful that you could sense that washing and peace that Jesus brings. I have been praying peace and blessing over you as you share from your heart today also.
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He delivered that which you prayed for. Thank you and let me know how new medicine goes, Bettie.
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Oh God is so good to help! Thank you so much Julie, I will keep you updated. xoxo
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Beautiful, life-giving words, sweet friend! And, thank you for that anointed prayer at the end. I receive it as answered, in Jesus’ name! May He wrap you in His arms and hold you close, too. 🙂
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Dear Cheryl,
I am so very grateful that the Lord spoke to you through the prayer He guided me to share. You are such a precious sister in the Lord, and I am thankful for all of your sweet words and prayers. Blessings, love, and hugs for you!
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I’m praying the new medication helps you! You are in my heart and prayers, Bettie!! 🌹
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Dear Jema thank you so much for your lovely prayers and kind thoughts! I truly appreciate them, going forward from here! Blessings to you!
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Sorry for the late response to this message 😦 May today be a good day… for both of us! ❤
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Thank you so much Dear Sister!!
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Oh, Bettie, I felt for you every step of the way as your pain filled lament reached heaven’s throne and seared my heart as well. Then the turning comes. An alteration occurs. These words suggest a change in rhythm in your beautiful poem and mercy finally being given: “And the rivers roar/ And the healing washes/ And the rescue comes.” Praise God for relief coming in the surrender! Our broken bodies given over to Him in recognition of the way His was broken and bled freely for our sake. I ache inside at the thought of all you are having to endure, my friend. But I cannot deny how awed I am too at the sweet fruit that arises in your spirit and leaks out here to inspire, encourage and bless us. Prayers continue for mercy and healing. Sending gentle hugs, blessings and love. xoxo
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Dear Joy,
I so appreciate all of your support and encouragement on this journey. You have been such a faithful friend to me, understanding and sharing in this chronic illness path. And you express so well the beauty that our Lord brings to us in the surrender: “Our broken bodies given over to Him in recognition of the way His was broken and bled freely for our sake.” His suffering for our benefit is so overwhelming and truly humbling. And yes, Praise God for His own sweet relief for us! I am so thankful for your prayers, and I pray the same for you, Dear Friend. Gentle hugs, blessings and love to you also. xoxo
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A beautiful poem that I will read again and again. Thank you for sharing with us.
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Dear Melissa,
I am so thankful that the Lord is speaking to you through these words that He sent here. He is so sweet to join us together with Him. Blessings to you Dear Sister.
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Dear Bettie … you have written a tender prayer that surely must touch the heart of our Healer. I’m praying for you even as we speak.
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Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for your sweet and kind prayers and thoughts here. What a precious Lord & Healer we have. Blessings to you!
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A lovely, lovely poem Bettie! Thanks for sharing your gifts of words for Him here. Absolutely blessed by you today. Praying too, that you feel His loving arms around you as you read this!
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Dear Lynn,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and your prayers. Truly they mean so much to me! I am grateful that the Lord brought blessing to you here today through these small words. Yes, His arms are so precious now, holding and carrying me! Blessings and love to you!
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Bettie, this is so beautiful! Jesus coming to you in your pain as you cried out for mercy. And then these words set apart just give me chills –
“And the rivers roar
And the healing washes
And the rescue comes”
Thank you so much for sharing and being so vulnerable. It’s a beautiful lament that leads us to Jesus, the One who gave up all for us. Thank you also for your prayer. Blessings, love and hugs to you my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
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Dear Gayl,
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement over these days my friend! What an amazing Lord we have, who really does meet us here in the midst of our hardest days. I am so overwhelmed that He would send His love and rescue for us. And I am grateful for the prayers that He calls us to pray for each other! Blessings, love and hugs to you also my Dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
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I’m so sorry you have to struggle with the pain you do, Bettie. I pray the new medication helps! And yet through all this, it’s awesome to see and feel how your brokenness leads you deeper into Jesus’ loving sacrifice for us. Your poem and prayer touches my heart with God’s mercy and compassion. Thank you! I love the song, too. Love and hugs to you!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you for your all of your kind caring and praying for me. I am so grateful for your understanding, as you have also walked through such hard days. Our Lord does meet us there in our most broken places with His loving sacrifice. My prayers are with you too! Love and hugs to you Dear Friend! xoxo
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O Bettie, the poem is perfect. I am grateful for His perfect love and perfect sacrifice.
Blessings – Wendy Mac 🕊️
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Dear Wendy,
Thank you for your sweet words, they mean so much to me! He love and sacrifice are so perfect for us. May you be blessed today also!
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What a precious prayer – thank you for including me:) (someone you have never met…) Praying for you, as well, especially as you begin your new medication.
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Dear Jennifer,
I am glad to meet you here today! And glad that we can pray for each other, because of Jesus we are already connected! Thank you for your sweet words. I am heading over to your site now! Blessings to you!
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Rereading these beautiful words, my heart is undone by these especially:
“He chose the cup drinking
Humiliation that was meant for me.”
I just cannot fathom a love like that…in those moments shame just presses so deep, it just stuns me to think our Jesus CHOSE to join us in that place. That when shame just overwhelms us, He holds out His hand to us right there. I hear myself saying: “but how can you love me like this. When I am so ugly here.” And He says: “but you are beautiful to me. Right here.” So thankful for you, Bettie. Praying for sweet relief in the pain and for peace to guard your heart as you step forward on the path Jesus is lighting before you.
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Dear Anna,
Thank you so very much for all of your prayers and sweet words of encouragement. His mercy is just so deep and great for us, isn’t it? I can never fathom how much He has given for me. I am so stunned that He would have taken up that humiliation on my behalf also. How could He desire to be with me in those most awful places, and yet that is right where His love sees us as so beautiful because He knows the cleansing that He has poured over us there. I am so grateful for your friendship and love also. Love and Hugs to you my dear friend! xo
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Been thinking about you today, Bettie G. xo
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Thank you so very much Susan! I am thankful for the clay, and thankful for all of the ways that God brings help!! xoxo
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Thank you for the powerful words in your poem. God is always teaching you and you express yourself so beautifully in response. I’m always blessed when I join you here. Your transparency provides insight into how God is working in your life. This helps me in my own faith journey. Blessings!
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Dear Mary,
Thank you for your sweet words–God is surely working so much in my heart. He is so good to take me in my utter weakness and failings and show me how powerful He is there. I am so blessed that the Lord would bring help to you here as He speaks. What a precious Lord we have that wants our whole hearts. Blessings to you!
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