What Must We Overcome to Have a Heart of Mercy?

The most sought-after attribute of God is his mercy, for embedded in mercy are kindness and forgiveness – the essentials for restoration and healing, both spiritually and emotionally. Matthew 18 tells of a man whose debts were beyond paying, yet in an act of mercy his debts were totally forgiven.

You’d assume this man would show mercy to those whose debts to him were outstanding. Instead of mercy, anger and vengeance dominated his feelings and behavior. If we fail to show mercy as an act of gratitude for what has been given to us, the consequences could be astounding.

God does not look favorably on those who fail to show mercy when they have been the recipients of his mercy and forgiveness. 

Remember this truth to live by: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Never pass up an opportunity to show mercy, for who isn’t in need of God’s mercy? “Give and it shall be given to you.”          

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

~Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version

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How Does Demonstrating Mercy Strengthen Our Character?

The first thing most people do when confronted with life-threatening problems is to ask God for help and mercy. We often attribute acts of mercy only to God, for he abounds in mercy and forgiveness, but does God expect us to show mercy to others as an act of our gratitude?

Matthew 18 includes a story of a man whose debts were so out of bounds, his creditor threatened legal procedures. Then motivated by an  act of mercy, the creditor forgave the entire debt. Instead of extending mercy to those indebted to him, however, this man viciously demanded payment.

David extended mercy to Saul by refusing to take revenge against him, but Saul refused to extend mercy to David and in doing so, set himself up for tragedy. God expects us to show mercy as an expression of thanksgiving for the abundant mercy he has shown us. 

Do you need to extend mercy to someone today? Then do it!          

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God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be shown mercy!

~Matthew 5:7 Contemporary English Version

 

So let us continue coming with courage to the throne of God’s unmerited favor to obtain his mercy and to find his spiritual strength to help us when we need it.

~Hebrews 4:16 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Mercy - Freely Give, Freely Receive

It's normal to long for happiness, especially when it appears fleeting. Sadly we've come to believe that happiness can be bought like furniture or an education. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "We have no more right to devour happiness without creating it for others than we do to consume wealth without working for it."

Philosophers have a proclivity for giving each generation a badge of distinction. Some carry a stigma of being self-absorbed and incapable of producing happiness for anyone. How then is happiness created? God’s word suggests happiness comes by demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Jesus gave this prescription for happiness: "Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy."  The Old Testament prophet Micah asked  a pertinent question that relates to happiness. “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly and to love mercy, and walk humbly before the Lord your God?” Good prescription. Why not make it your commitment? 

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Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!

~Matthew 5:7 Good News Bible

In every way I showed you that by working hard as I do, we should help the weak and remember what our Lord Jesus said: “We are happier when we give than when we get something.”

~Acts 20:35 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

Empathy and Mercy: Pathway to Forgiveness

When feelings of empathy and mercy are interwoven into an offer of forgiveness, the chances for a positive reception are greatly enhanced. Very few people are incapable of empathy, but expressing it to those who have wronged us remains a difficult choice. Forgiving another person is an act of mercy, but it takes empathy for it to be put into action.

 

Empathy is an inborn human trait and serves as a bridge builder to closeness and intimacy. When empathy and mercy are expressed, they communicate a truth essential for relationships. These two, empathy and mercy, open the door so forgiveness can serve as a healing agent capable of saving a relationship.

Jesus said in Matthew 5, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." It's critically important to keep in mind that forgiveness follows in the pathway of empathy and mercy, which are expressions of love. Forgiving others is sometimes hard to follow through on, but the rewards for doing so can be life-changing.  

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The Lord Jehovah is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of love. He is good to everyone, and his compassion is intertwined with everything he does.

~Psalm 145:8-9 The Living Bible

None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests also. Let your attitude of life be that of Christ Jesus himself.

~Philippians 2:4-5 Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English

To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another and be kind and humble with one another.

~1 Peter 3:8 Good News Bible

From Wind to Whirlwind

Seeking revenge is comparable to sowing the wind only to reap the whirlwind. A Filipino proverb argues, “They who sow the wind will reap the typhoon”. The compulsion to get revenge may not take into consideration the possibility of a backlash, as in sudden acts of violence being hurled back in a tit-for-tat show of strength.

 

When the sons of Jacob reacted to the rape of their sister by murdering everyone they deemed responsible, they never considered the effect it would have on their father. Jacob was overcome by fear and fled the country because he expected retaliation. He knew revenge does not remain un-revenged.

When we've been hurt, God intends for us to act with mercy. God wants us to trust him to act appropriately, which means he will do what is just, but with mercy. Sir Thomas Elliott warned that if mercy is missing in us, all other virtues will be stifled. Think about that for a minute. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”
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But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful. Turn to me and have mercy on me; strengthen me and save me...
~PSALM 86:15-16 Good News Bible