Mercy!

Hi Friends,

I am writing today about mercy, and about someone for whom I hope you will pray.  I was walking and praying this morning, and asking the Lord, “Is there something for which you would have me pray?  The word “Mercy,” came to mind.  I was thinking of so many lost people, that were on my heart. 

Then came a “beep,” on my cell phone.  It was an email message regarding Asia Bibi.  If you don’t already know, she is a Christian woman living in Pakistan, who is appealing her case to the Pakistani Supreme Court.  Any moment, we should know the verdict. 

Apparently, there are extremists who are taking to the streets and stirring up trouble regarding the case.  They are bringing threats to those on the Supreme Court, demanding the death sentence.  The case is flimsy at best.  The justices have demanded more convincing evidence from the prosecutors. 

These are the facts as I understand them to be:   Asia a young Christian woman and mother of five, worked alongside several Muslim women in the fields.  One day, she took a drink from the water that their employer provided for the workers.  These women were offended that she, a Christian woman, should drink from the same source as they.  So they complained to the authorities that she had blasphemed the name of Mohammed.  This of course is a serious offense in Pakistan.  So they had her arrested, and she has now spent several years in jail away from her family.

There are international groups working to free her of this terrible injustice.  God wants us to pray for mercy.  And for courage for the justices of the Pakistani Supreme Court, that they would rule justly and not be intimidated by the extremists.

This is the vision:

First, I saw Asia standing near a table and chairs in the courtroom.  Then I looked to the opposite side of the room and saw three justices.  As my eyes again looked at Asia,  I saw the Lord Jesus, standing in her place.  

Then I saw a  very large burden.  It was a cluster of boxes and items all bundled together under a tarp or blanket.  It was huge, forming a load about 5’ by 4’ by 4’.  This load was precariously  placed  upon a single wheel and was  rolling down the street in my direction.  It seemed as if it would topple over at the slightest bump.

This is what I believe the vision means:

Jesus in the Courtroom
As I saw the vision, of Jesus standing where Asia had been, I somehow knew that the Lord was giving me the same vision that he had given to one of the justices.  I believe that this justice saw Jesus when he looked at Asia.  This must have shaken him to the core.  I can believe that when he saw Jesus standing in her place, that he might very well be condemning an innocent woman, just as Jesus had been condemned.  The justice, must also be aware that he would be fighting against God, if he condemned her.  The justices are in the same position as Pilate was. They have the power of life and death.  I believe that they know in their hearts that she has been the victim of slander, that she never blasphemed the name of Mohammed and that her co-workers have conspired against her, and have told lies.  Their testimonies of the facts are conflicting.  The justice knows the truth, and I am praying that he is able to convince the other justices that they need to do the right thing. 

Pilate’s wife warned Pilate, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”  Matthew 27:19

I am reminded that Jesus has in the past, and continues even today, to appear to Muslims.  “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”  Isaiah 65:1

I believe that just as Pilate tried to appeal to those in the mob who were calling for the Lord’s death, that this justice will try to appeal to his peers on the bench to not convict this innocent woman.  Jesus had a mission to fulfill, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.  His death on the cross was the very reason he came.  But I am hoping and praying that in this case, these men will not cower to the mob, or to those leaders who are calling for her death, but will be men of integrity and will be convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit to do the right thing.

The Lord asked me to pray for mercy to be shown to Asia.  The Lord wants us to partner with him, to bring about deliverance for her.  Only the Lord can change the hearts of men.  Through our prayers, God changes circumstances.

“Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.”  Romans 14:11

“For God said to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  Romans 9:15

The Large Load

The second part of the vision was of the large load coming down the street, carried and balanced upon a small single wheel. The load could represent sin, or it could represent burdens.  The wheel could represent the Lord, for he carried our sin on the cross.  The Lord also carries our burdens.  But the wheel can also represent us as those who carry others burdens, in prayer to the Lord.  

In the vision, the load is huge, more than the little wheel should be able to support.  So I really  believe that the burden is comprised of all that we carry in prayer.  The Lord is showing in this vision that the responsibility to pray should be shared by more people, than just a few.  God wants to raise up an army of intercessors who will pray together in agreement.  “How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up?”  Deuteronomy 32:30

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

The Lord is asking others to join in this prayer for Asia Bibi.  The final verdict could come at any moment, for the justices have already heard the arguments.  Please pray for mercy and the Lord’s favor.  Please pray for her complete deliverance, and to be restored to her husband and her five young children.  

We have seen some recent victories - so we give thanks to the Lord.  Pastor Andrew Bronson has been released from the Turkish prison, and Brett Kavanaugh has been sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.  God is faithful.  God is true.  “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”  Amos 5:24

Just today, I have learned that three teenage boys, whose parents I know, will be going before a judge next week.  Again, we pray, “Lord have mercy.”  These are teenage boys, who were enticed by a “friend,” to do something they knew was wrong.  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13

So what happened here?  These boys grew up in church, yet they chose to go their own way.  A friend enticed or perhaps challenged them, to commit this act, as he himself, had done. This teen was used by the enemy to cause them harm.  We must always pray for our children, because we are warned in the Bible: “Do not be misled; ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”  1 Corinthians 15:33 And also, “A companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20

What does the Bible tell us to do when things have gotten out of hand, and we find ourselves or a loved one in trouble?  These few scriptures tell us what to do:

“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,  you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.”  Proverbs 6:1-5

Jesus tells us plainly:  “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”  Matthew 5:25

Years ago, I was involved in a “fender-bender,” not much of an accident, but I really believed that the other driver was at fault.  However, when my insurance company settled matters with the other insurance company, they determined that it was my fault and that my insurance company would bear the cost of the damages.

We had a court date about a month later.  I was reading the passage above (Matthew 5:25), and decided that it would be best to call the other driver that evening.  I called to apologize, for blaming her for the accident, when the insurance companies determined that I was the one at fault.

The next day at court, when they called our case, the other driver did not show up, and the case was dismissed.  This happened because I followed what the word of God said to do.  We are to apologize and make it right with our “adversary.”  God gave me favor with her, for I did not ask for her, to not make an appearance, she simply extended grace to me.

I want to also share with you that the young man for whom we were praying, has accepted the plea bargain that the district attorney offered him.  He is to serve time in a state penitentiary.  I am asking you to l keep this young man, let’s call him “Bob,” in your prayers.  I am believing for an early release, and for divine protection from those who would seek to harm him.  Please pray that he would have the favor of all the inmates, the guards, and the authorities of the prison.  Pray that he would come to know the Lord and develop a close and intimate relationship with him.  And please pray that Bob would also be able to forgive himself for the loss of his friend’s life.  He is a sweet young man, pray that he does not become hard or depressed, but that God will keep him in perfect peace.  

How can I possibly thank you enough for your prayers.  God bless you greatly! 

If you have a friend, family member, or someone God has placed upon your heart, that is going through a difficult trial, these are truly wonderful scriptures that you can keep in your heart and encourage your spirit.  

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26

“And he who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”  Romans 8:27

“We have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.  He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” 1 John 2:1  

“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Matthew 10:19-20

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”   Luke 18:8

Hallelujah!  Our God is mighty, and powerful.  He keeps his promises and his word never fails.  God is holy and worthy of all our devotion and praise.  We are a blessed people, to know him and the love he has towards us.