•We have a Father whose ears are ever open to our cries for mercy
•Do not listen to the doubting voices planted in your mind by the devil
Image: BENJAMIN NYAGAH
The story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 is one that many of us can relate to. He was a blind man sitting by the roadside as Jesus and His disciples were exiting the city of Jericho.
Knowing this was his only chance of ever receiving his vision, Bartimaeus started calling out to Jesus with a loud voice.
"Jesus, son of David. Have mercy on me," he shouted.
However, many other people rebuked and ordered him to shut up. Instead, Bartimaeus kept shouting until Jesus heard him, came and granted him his desire for his sight to be restored.
In a contemporary context, many of us would do the opposite. The rebuke from other people and the doubting voices in our heads would discourage us from calling on to the Lord and instead confine ourselves to our unpleasant present.
In a spiritual perspective, we should — like Bartimaeus — pray without ceasing in the knowledge that we have a Father whose ears are ever open to our cries for mercy.
In Joel 2:28-32, He assures us that all those who call on His name shall be saved. Indeed, Bartimaeus' case is a manifestation of this promise in that He cried out to Jesus and was duly unshackled from the chains of blindness.
It is the same Jesus who said He came that we may have life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10). This means it is God's desire that we excel in all aspects of our lives, including career, health, relationships and above all, spiritual.
On the other hand, the enemy, the devil's objective is to steal, kill and destroy. He is never happy when you are close to fulfilling your potential and will try everything to keep you pinned on the ground by inculcating doubting thoughts on your mind.
Just like the men who were rebuking Bartimaeus and trying to shut him up, the devil will always try to weaken your faith by manipulating situations to attempt to convince you that there is no hope for you.
If you choose to listen to him, it will be easy for you to stop praying and assume the more dangerous route of destruction. Had Bartimaeus stopped calling out to the Lord, he would still be a blind man by the roadside, begging for leftovers.
However, his faith would not allow him to keep quiet. This should be the same approach to our difficult circumstances. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, and He should be the only one whose say matters in our lives.
Do not listen to what naysayers tell you about your situation. Rather, reach out to the Lord God in prayer, praying ceaselessly because this is the only weapon that will enable you to overcome your battle.
May the Lord be your strength as you begin another week. Amen.