Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. [Matthew 5:7 NIV]
Is there a quality in life more divine than mercy?
Is there anything like showing mercy to one who does not deserve it?
I guess that is the heart of mercy isn't it?
It reminds me of the Lord's prayer where Jesus instructs us to pray:
"forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"Have you ever considered that forgiving others is an expression of mercy?
Especially when forgiveness is not requested or accompanied by repentance.
In reality anyone can be merciful when there are strings attached.
Yet that is not really mercy. Is it?
Mercy is forgiving without the promise of being forgiven.
Interesting how Jesus ties the giving and receiving of mercy in this verse.
Perhaps that is the nature of mercy and forgiveness?
These things flow into our lives when we simply exercise them.
In that sense our mercy muscles gets stronger and we are in turn blessed.
I need mercy Lord. Help me to be merciful.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
I just read this today...
ReplyDelete“Mercy is a command of God, yet it cannot simply be a response to a demand. It must arise out of heats made generous and gracious by an understanding and experience of God’s mercy. It is the hearts of the congregation that must be melted until they ask, “Where is my neighbor?” - TIm Keller
Between that and your post, I was brought me to my knees.
"hearts made generous and gracious"
ReplyDeleteLet it be Lord.