"For Mercy's Sake"

"Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted." (Psalms 25:16) Now I know there are some who wonder why I would close with Ecclesiastes 11:1-5 to sum up our responsibility to "count it all joy", especially since that portion of Scripture is speaking about charitable giving; but the point I was trying to make had more to do with what those around perceive by our mood and our character, and that it is a lot like spreading wealth: we can either share the hope, or we can take part in the misery; it is totally up to us and the way we choose to walk out the hope that we have been given! And by the way; if you were looking for me to stick to the meaning of the text, you have mistaken what this journey is about; because this is my "Living Journal", which is about whatever the Lord puts upon my heart, and that is what I share; sometimes it makes sense, and sometimes it's just me thinking on what God is speaking; either way, it is about the stuff going on inside of my head and heart after I read a portion of God's Living Word! That said; as we look at what David is speaking here today, we could easily assume that he is reaching out to God  in an act of desperation, especially when we read ahead through the next four verses; it is as though he has totally switched gears and has taken his eyes off the Lord and has placed them on his circumstance. However, it is not the case; for what we must realize in every situation that we find ourselves in, whether or not we take time to do that, is that God must pour out His Spirit upon us; we cannot expect to be a living testimony of God's power and love, without first being filled and guided by the Holy Spirit! Which is precisely why James, after speaking about why we should count it all joy, says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). It is like that saying from the man with the possessed child, "Lord, I believe;  help Thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24); whereas, we are to carry ourselves in a certain manner, showing forth the hope that we have in God's power, love, and His abundant mercy and grace; and if we lack the ability to walk as we should be walking, then we need to cry out to God for the ability to do so!!! We should not settle for being weak in our faith; nor should we be content not having the ability to rejoice in our suffering! If we can't find what it takes to be able to count it all joy, then we very well better ask for God to help us find it..."Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." (Proverbs 4:7-9)