Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
What is mercy? In simplest terms, it is not receiving something you deserve. But, mercy is so much more than that. To understand mercy we can look at the definition.
Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm; kind and forgiving treatment, kindness or help given to an unfortunate person.
While the dictionary definition helps us understand mercy. To fully understand and appreciate mercy, we need only look at God’s example. God created this world in all of its beauty. Everything was perfect. And then He place Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to care for it. They had free rein of the entire garden. The only thing they were instructed not to do? Don’t eat of the two trees in the middle of the Garden. We all know the story, the serpent encouraged Eve to eat. And Eve encouraged Adam to eat. And sin was introduced into the world. At that moment God, the Creator of everything first shows His mercy. Yes, they had to leave the Garden. And yes they had consequences that would follow them and their offspring. But, before God sent them out of the Garden, He clothed them.
That was God’s first example of mercy. Consider the Israelites in the wilderness. How many times did they complain? And yet, God still led them to the Promised Land. And once in the Promised Land, how many times did they mess up and God forgave them? How many prophets did God send to the Israelites to warn them that judgment was coming? In God’s mercy He showed compassion for His people. In His mercy He was patient and forgiving. In His mercy He was kind.
Consider Jesus and His ministry. It was filled with mercy. He was moved by compassion. He acted in kindness. He offered forgiveness. And He was patient with the disciples and those around Him. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could experience God’s mercy. In fact, we see God’s mercy every day.
Watch the news for a few minutes. Look at the headlines. Spend a few minutes on Facebook. What do you see? Sin is running rampant. Acts of violence, unkind words, hate and turmoil are on every channel, in every headline. And yet, God patiently waits. He is waiting for others to accept His gift, His forgiveness, His mercy.
And He shows me mercy every day on a personal level. I love the LORD dearly. But, I am flawed. My intentions are usually good each morning. I wake determined to let His light shine through me. And then someone cuts me off on the way to work. Or someone raises their voice in frustration. Sometimes the LORD shines through me in these situations. But, if I don’t keep my heart in the right place. If I don’t keep my focus on Him, well I mess up. God in His mercy gives me another day to do better. God reminds me to share with them the mercy He gave me.
What would happen if we all practiced mercy? If we were compassionate and kind with those around us, how would the world change? If we were patient and forgiving with those who are in a hurry or having a difficult time, would the world change?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The LORD has shown us mercy. And we are to pass it on.
