from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel

... Faith begins when we recognize who Jesus truly is and cry out to Him for mercy

Luke 18:38 NKJV (devotion translation)

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside begging. Though he could not see what was happening around him, he heard the crowd and learned that Jesus was passing by. In that moment, he recognized an opportunity he could not ignore. With urgency and faith he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

His words revealed more than desperation—they revealed understanding. By calling Jesus “Son of David,” he acknowledged Him as the promised Messiah. The man did not merely see Jesus as a teacher from Nazareth; he recognized Him as the One sent by God. His faith began with a right view of who Jesus truly is.

The crowd attempted to silence him, but he cried out all the more. Desperation drove him beyond the fear of people’s opinions. He believed that Jesus alone could meet his need, and he refused to allow doubt—whether from others or within his own mind—to quiet his voice.

When Jesus stopped and asked what he wanted, the the man answered plainly: “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” His request was specific and rooted in faith. He believed that Jesus had the authority and power to restore what was broken. And Jesus responded with compassion: “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

This encounter reminds us that God is not distant from human need. Scripture reveals a Savior who listens to those who call upon Him. The blind man approached Jesus not on the basis of merit, but on the mercy of God. That same mercy still flows from the heart of Christ.

Every believer faces moments of need—times when we recognize our inability and God’s sufficiency. In those moments, we are invited to come honestly before the Lord, trusting His character and submitting to His will. Our hope rests not in our worthiness, but in the compassion of Christ.

Lord Jesus, teach me to trust Your mercy and to call upon You with humble faith. Amen.

• Romans 10:12-13 - Affirms that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved, emphasizing the power of crying out in faith.
• Psalm 51:1 - David appeals to God’s mercy, reflecting a heart that depends on compassion rather than merit.
• Hebrews 4:16 - Invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy in time of need.
• Mark 10:47-52 - A parallel account of blind Bartimaeus, highlighting persistent faith despite opposition.
• Isaiah 42:6-7 - Points to the Messiah as the One who opens blind eyes, connecting to Jesus’ identity.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 - Describes God as rich in mercy, extending grace to those in need.
• Psalm 34:17-18 - Declares that the Lord hears the cries of the righteous and is near to the brokenhearted.
• Titus 3:5 - Reminds us that salvation comes not by works, but according to God’s mercy.