Mercy (Me) | Brenda Yoder

A few weeks ago I came across a little book at a Bed and Breakfast that captured my attention. *Hannah's Prayer* by Kenneth Gividen was a must buy on Amazon and I haven't put it down since. It discusses eight principles of effective Christianity based on the prayer Hannah prayed in her cry to God for a son.

I'm reading the book for the second time, trying to soak up the words. The chapter where I've been lingering is on Hannah's Mercy. Hannah faced opposition from three different people - her husband, Penninah, and Eli. One of them even accused this godly woman of being drunk when she was crying to God.

*Have you ever felt misunderstood, offended, mishandled?*
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Gividen points out the difference between reputation and character. He explains the difference between asking, "Whom do men say I am" and "Who does God ***know ***that I am?" (p. 72). He notes how responding to an offense changes when we recognize **Who** knows our true character. Being mindful of this, it becomes easier to extend mercy to those offending us.

This message is timely because I need to extend mercy. Dr. David Jeremiah said today that extending mercy is not something humanly possible , but requires the work of the Spirit in our lives (*Turning Point *radio broadcast).

Affirmative. As I have pondered this thought of mercy, the *flesh ***me** battles with the *spirit* **me. **In order to move past a particular damaging offense, the Lord has revealed I need to extend mercy. I read the chapter on mercy over and over again, because I know I need to release the hurts and extend mercy.

Tomorrow is the day to make this transaction, because of a divine appointment the Lord has established. As I pour over how Hannah, and our Lord, extended mercy, I gain confidence that the task is attainable. But then flesh takes over and I realize I'm just words away from holding onto bitterness and hurt.

Flesh, mercy, flesh, mercy, flesh, mercy.

[](http://brendayoder.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mp900422121.jpg)
Just like eeny-meeny-miny-mo. I just hope it ends on mercy.

As I've prayed more and more for mercy I can't fabricate, I'm learning the Lord does change these things we can't. I can't pull up a mercy transformation on my own effort, but the Lord can. A week ago I felt fear and hurt. Today I note a peaceful confidence only the Lord can create. If I am willing, He will grant mercy. In His willingness, He grants mercy to me.
This is the command, the formula....as He grants mercy, we are supposed to, too.
As I look at the ugliness of my own flesh, I am humbled he has extended mercy to me.

Like Hannah, I want to overlook the offenses of others, and let the Lord transform the ugliness of sin and flesh to the beauty of His Spirit.

So my prayer today is, *Lord, crucify the flesh, so You may live. Extend mercy through me just as you have granted mercy to me. *
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Eeny-meeny-miny-mo

(And **Mercy wins**)
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