Matthew 5:7
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I believe that mercy is one of the hardest traits for us to cultivate. When someone is in your face, or you feel you have been mistreated or betrayed, it’s hard to feel mercy toward them. When you see someone who is behaving in an inappropriate manner or choosing a lifestyle that you feel is wrong for them, it’s sometimes hard to show unconditional love. When a friend “borrows” something from you and never pays it back – even acts like it never happened – it’s hard to feel generous toward that person again. When your phone calls go unanswered or aren’t returned, and then the person acts like you just spoke the next time he/she sees you, it’s a challenge to be civil sometimes … much less kind.
What we have to realize is that we do these sorts of things to Jesus every single day. We lie, cheat and steal from Him. We are willing to take and take from Jesus, but we have little time and service for His children in return. We choose behaviors and lifestyles that absolutely make Him crazy. We go days/weeks/months without talking to our Heavenly Father … much less listening. Then we expect Him to love us anyway and welcome us back with open arms when we realize our mistakes.
We are more than willing to receive Jesus’ grace and mercy … but are we offering the same to others? The Bible is very clear that God blesses those who are merciful … and He treats them with mercy. I don’t know about you, but I really, really want and need Jesus’ mercy. I am betting a lot of other people do, too. If showing mercy to others is the ticket, then I am there … are you? If calling on Jesus to give me strength and courage to be gracious and merciful toward those who I may not feel deserve it, I am more than happy to do so. If showing mercy to others will draw me closer to Christ, I am so willing to do whatever it takes.
I pray that we will ask God to grant us the strength and courage, kindness and compassion to be merciful toward others … and in the bargain, to gain His favor and mercy. I pray that we will not show mercy merely to receive mercy for ourselves … but because this brings us closer to Jesus and demonstrates that we truly are becoming His disciples. I pray that we will feel the power of the Holy Spirit and truly want to share His mercy with others. Being merciful isn’t always easy – or even popular – but it’s so worth our effort. Where has God granted you mercy today… and where can you show mercy to others?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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