God Have Mercy

June 7, 2021

Scripture

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions…. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me…. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.…. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. …. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalms 51:1,3, 6, 10, 16-17 NRSV)

God Have Mercy

Have been listening to “Miserere” approaching my morning coffee with God. It’s a historic classical choral version of Psalm 51 – a deep cry for mercy based on trust in the love and compassion of God. But it is also based on a frank and clear understanding of moral failure that caused marital infidelity and the calculated killing of the woman’s husband in a military conflict.

This is a Psalm of David the King of Israel, a man after God’s own heart who misused political and military power for selfish indulgence. Not only did he cause pain and suffer regrets, but his nation suffered as a result. His confession was not just for his own forgiveness but connected to the restoration of his country’s fortunes.

Sometimes I think we forget that the command to love God and love our neighbour are not just personal but are communal commands. In one conversation Jesus quotes the Hebrew Scriptures by introducing the commands with “Hear O Israel”. This is for a community of people to define themselves and their life together.

We have reason to cry individually and as a nation “God have mercy”. Children died, were buried with no identification and recognition. Sometimes I feel that my religion has become too individualistic, and it allows me to avoid responsibility for the sins of my country or my community.

In his confession David the King acknowledged that empty ceremony was not just inadequate, but it was despised by the God of love. Contrition, broken heart and changing the direction of life were what mattered. I’m not sure what my role is to be but at least I can say “God have mercy on me, on us all”.

A Prayer for Today

God of love and mercy, we have seen a deep wound in our national character and been forced to face truth for which we have avoided responsibility. Now we have no excuse so forgive us all for our responsibility in all of this – much of it done in your name but to our shame. Give us courage to speak and do truth and reconciliation.  …. For Jesus’ sake