Happy Are The Merciful

A merciless man or woman lacks the joy of Jesus. You can see it in their hard face that is reflected by their hardened heart. Indeed, mercy is meant to mold us into the image of our Savior Jesus. He was a man of mercy who looked into the eyes of sinners with mercy and who looked over His complacent and corrupt city with tearful mercy. “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Mercy cares and cries.

Tormented is the soul that seeks to judge others for juvenile behavior, when they have experienced the mercies of their Lord Jesus Christ. How can we stay bitter when we enjoy the betterment of God’s blessings? Mercy does not obsess over what others get away with—instead they pity the poor soul who is blind to true freedom found in grace.

Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

Has someone wronged you? Are you mad for being left out? Mercy extends to intentional and unintentional offences. Tension and hard feelings fester where mercy has vacated, but grace and forgiveness flourish where mercy is present. We give mercy when we look back and see the mercy we have received, and we look forward in anticipation of the mercy we need.

Who needs mercy? The poor: when you show them mercy it is like giving to the Lord. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17). God rewards mercy with even more mercy. Yet, because of our sin nature, we really don’t desire what we deserve—a child of the living Lord really wants His reward to be grace and mercy.

So, enter often through the quiet vestibule of prayer into the sanctuary of your heavenly Father’s presence. Bow in humble worship and adoration. Thank Him for the certitudes of His promises, confess your sin—repent and receive His mercy and grace. His mercy is sudden and sure; so don’t delay its deployment to your circle of influence. Mercy horded does not help anyone, but hurts everyone. It is meant to activate your actions to love.

Mercy loves not expecting to be loved, serves not expecting to be served and gives not expecting to be given. Mercy raises the conversation beyond itself to Christ—it asks, “What does Jesus want?” Mercy educates the ignorant, cares for the careless, instructs the immature and snatches sinners from hell. Happiness is mercy given and mercy received.

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives” (Jude 1:22-24, NLT).

Do I actively receive and give God’s mercy? Am I merciful to myself?

Related Readings: Job 6:14; Micah 6:8; Matthew 18:23-35; James 2:12-13