CRY OUT TO THE LORD.
MEMORISE:
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Psalm 3:4
READ: Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
MESSAGE:
It is sad that many Christians fail to take advantage of the numerous prayer meetings available to them, to get their problems solved. Some come to Church and are unable to cry to God to solve the challenges that brought them to His presence. Others even doze off at prayer vigils, missing their moments of divine visitation. In today’s Bible reading, we see the beautiful reward of crying to God in prayer. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho, he cried out. Though he had no eyes to see Jesus, he made use of his mouth to cry out to the Lord, even when the people around were discouraging him from doing so (Mark 10:48).
Many years ago, a woman was attacked by the devil. It was such that she was unable to retain in her system anything she ate. When things became unbearable, she ran to God. She came for one of our services and arrived at a point when the Lord was asking the congregation to shout “Hallelujah”. The woman, in faith, responded to the Lord’s command through His minister and shouted “Hallelujah” with everyone else. God honored her faith as she shouted; a worm pooped out of her mouth and that was the end of her problem.
Sometimes, people who cannot help yu may try to discourage you from crying to God for help. It is left for you to either allow them to discourage you or refuse to be shut up. As for me, I will not be shut up. Psalm 5:3 says:
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
While Jesus knew Bartimaeus’ need, He still asked him what he wanted. This is because Jesus would not break the Scripture in Matthew 7:7 which says “Ask, and it shall be given unto you…..” Thank God Bartimaeus asked for his ultimate need to be met- his eyesight, not for some shekels. His cry was meaningful. There are also meaningless cries- cries without substance. They are the type Jesus describes as “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7). A vain repetition is any form of prayer not in alignment with the will and word of God (James 4:30). Beloved, like Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:51, you must cry to God meaningfully! May the Lord hear your cry today, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT:
Make a list of your major needs and spend time crying to God to meet them all in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: RELATION 18-22.
HYMN 28: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
