You have a need in your life right now. There’s something you can’t fix, something you can’t overcome, something can’t change. But it hasn’t been changing, has it? You’ve been waiting, but all that waiting has things left the same, and in some ways even worse. What do you do with that? Really, what do you do when there’s nothing more you can do?



This is not where you pretend to be okay. This is not where you make peace with the problem and accept defeat. This is not where you settle, assuming this is all there is for you. My friend, this is NOT where you quit.



This is where you get DESPERATE. Desperate for the one who can fix this. Desperate for the one who promised to already overcome this. Desperate for the one who can change the impossible.



But you’ve been trying to avoid desperation thinking that is a broken weakness. Let me tell you something, desperation is a deep faith that moves Jesus. It’s time to get desperate!



Let’s read a story in our bible about desperation. There are many to choose from because desperation is not a rare place to find yourself in. I’m there … aren’t you?



Luke 18: 35-43: As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God too.



This is a picture of desperation. This blind man knew if Jesus doesn’t do this for me, I will never change. He would not be silenced. He would not be shamed and hushed.



Now, notice what he says. He says, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” Mercy is acknowledging you don’t deserve it.



If you’ve been walking around entitled thinking Jesus owes you something, you’re missing the power of his mercy. We could never be good enough to deserve Jesus. There’s nothing we could ever do that would qualify us for forgiveness and redemption. There’s no possible way we could get ourselves into Heaven. Mercy is required here. Mercy, you don’t deserve. Mercy, you can’t earn.







I heard the recording of an interview with a homeless man living on the streets. They asked him, “What do you think about God.” The man answered, “Why me?”



But, not for the reasons I’ve ever asked “Why me?” I must admit, my ‘why me’ moments were pitiful and entitled. But this man says, “Why me, God? Why did you ever choose me? You’ve chosen ME for eternity? I get the mansion in heaven? I get to walk on those streets of gold? Me?!!!! For real? Wow!!!!!!! I’m the luckiest man in the world!”



That is a child of God who understands mercy!



Now think about it, you are chosen by God as well. He wants to give you a place in paradise for all eternity with him, and it’s not because of anything you have done or could ever do. It’s all because of his mercy. Stop for a moment and ask “Why me” with this perspective to...