Mercy Above the Sceptred Way

Image via Mercy and Truth Blog

'Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our Land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.' (Psalm 85:9-11) 

Mercy and truth or mercy and justice are often very difficult to reconcile. They can often seem so contradictory. However, this what God has done in saving us. We deserve justice for our sins, but in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, mercy triumphs. Praise the Lord for His great love and mercy! 

Oliver Cromwell

Psalm 85 was one of Oliver Cromwell's favourite psalms. He repeated it often in many of his speeches, especially the ones he gave at the end of his life. He often referred to it as he championed religious freedom (one of his favourite causes - even when he was attacked for it) and he clearly saw it as a vision for the spiritual welfare of his nation. He was very concerned that many Christians were often over zealous with the truth, being  self-righteous and concerned with justice bu with very little mercy for one another. That grieved him very much throughout his life. One cannot fail to see this when reading his personal letters and his public speeches.  In one of those speeches to one of his parliaments as Lord Protector, he encouraged the new MPs to apply this psalm to their lives and in their governing of the nation. He said:  

"Mercy and Truth shall meet together" [Psalm 85]. Here is a great deal of "truth" among professors, but very little "mercy"! They are ready to cut the throats of one another. But when we are brought into the right way, we shall be merciful as well as orthodox: and we know who it is that saith, "if a man could speak with the tongues of men and angles, and yet want that, he is but sounding brass and a tingling cymbal!" [I Corinthians 13:1] 

Thomas Carlyle, Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches: With Elucidations, (London: Chapman and Hall, 1894), Vol, IV of V, pp. 210-222. 

(Read full speech here)

We still need this today as Christians with one another, in the home and in Church, and with those around us. We must not hold onto justice and truth without mercy. I think this quote from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice puts it very beautifully: 

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown;

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore...

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

That, in the course of justice, none of us

Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render

The deeds of mercy. 

 Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I

Yes, Lord, gives us hearts of truth and mercy always. Help us remember that it is Your mercy that saves us. 


God bless,

Beacons of the Past...

Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

It's been a long time since my last post and I do apologize to all my readers for this. But it has been a rather busy two or three weeks, with major university assignments and all. Perhaps sometime I'll share some of the interesting things I've been learning. 

In the mean time, however, you've all probably noticed that there have been some major changes to this blog. Yes, I've changed the blog design. This is not a final look, however. More importantly, though, I've changed the name of my blog to 'Beacons of the Past'.

I felt that the older title of 'Gems of Faith in History' was a bit of a mouthful of title! This new one is much shorter and easier to remember. I think it is also more captivating and perhaps a bit different and thus more of an eye-catcher, which I learned is an important part of any title to a book, article, or a blog/website. This is the first thing that a person sees upon opening a blog-page. 

More importantly, I believe this new title captures more of what I desire this blog to be. While the discovery and the study of history, His story, often could be seen as an uncovering of gems from the dark mine of the past, more and more I feel that it is more than that. 

Those familiar with the movie Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, may recall the moment of the lighting of the beacons of Amon Din. A moment when Pippin, at the instruction of Gandalf, lights the first beacon of the chief city of Gondor, Minas Tireth, as a signal for help to their allies from Rohan. There were seven beacons set across the mountains linking Gondor with Rohan (a fast way of communication). On each peak were watchmen, who would light the beacon when they saw the one closest to them lit. There is an amazing feeling of joy, hope, and inspiration when those beacons are lit...yes, 'hope is kindled!'. 

In this scene I also see a special view for us of the past. Many who came before us were watchmen (men and women) who lit beacons of Godliness, faith and hope. The light they carried we now see. Now it is for us to light our beacons for those around us who are lost and continue this relay, and light the way for the future. This light is His light working in His people. 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' (Matthew 5:16) 

Thus, the title: 'Beacons of the Past'; and the subtitle: 'Illuminating the Present, Guiding the Future' was inspired. 

My basic aim of showing that history is really His Story; that He is Sovereign over all nations, peoples, and individuals in every time in history; and that everything happens under His control and permission according to His perfect wisdom for His glory, the advancement of His Kingdom and the good of His people; has not changed. 

Our greatest comfort in an uncertain world is to know that our Heavenly Father is also the Sovereign Lord over all creation. It gives me personally great joy and comfort when I see His hand at work, or when I see glimpses of His plan in History. History is not just about the past. It is about the present and about the future, because 'Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8). What God did in the past, He will do today, and will do tomorrow. This constancy gives me great strength and HOPE. Yes, it is the beacon of light in this dark world. 

So, generally, there won't be much change in the aim of this blog, but perhaps a slightly different theme perspective subtly running through the blog  as a whole. I will try to keep up the 'Hall of Faith Series' as time allows. They are bios of some of those watchmen and women who carry the light and light the beacons. But I will also be sharing on different topics and subjects as well. Some will be related directly with history, others will be fun or inspirational, and others devotional. 


So, join me on this new phase of my blogging experience.

I'd really love to hear from my readers. It gives me great encouragement and inspiration. So, please, I'd really be blessed if you'd share your thoughts and ideas with me in the comments area and whenever I can I will try to answer them. 

God bless,