New Mercies For You And Me
“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7, Amplified Bible). This is the fifth beatitude.
Mercy is showing undeserved compassion or pity in a tangible way.
If you have received the mercies of God (and you have), you should generously show mercy. However, your flesh may not want to be compassionate toward those who hurt you or are in need. Your emotions may say, “No better for them. That is what they get for hurting me, offending me, opposing me, lying on me, misjudging me, taking me for granted OR that is what they get for not working hard, not making better decisions, hanging out with the wrong crowd. Also, in this present sociopolitical climate, retribution, payback, reprisal, retaliation, and revenge seem to have become the norm and are rewarded. Get yourself under control! God calls for His children to be compassionate: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Scripture mandates that Christians show mercy, even when personal emotions or this present sociopolitical climate dictate otherwise:
- “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion, to each other; and do not oppress or exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise or even imagine evil in your hearts against one another” (Zechariah 7:8-10).
- “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (Peter 3:8-9).
- “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV).
Matthew Henry offers a description of who should receive our mercy and tangible ways in which we can show mercy:
Who Should Receive Our Mercy
The Ignorant
The Careless
Those In A State Of Sin
Those in Melancholy & In Sorrow
Those In Need
Ways To Show Mercy
Instruct Them
Warn Them
Snatch Them As Brands Out Of The Burning
Comfort Them
Supply Them
I not only show mercy to others because Scripture commands it, but because I so desperately want and need God’s mercy for myself. On one hand I always want to be right with God (for further explanation of this desire click the following link, https://bit.ly/3s4dsV7 ). On the other hand, I am ashamed to say that I sin all the time. Not deliberately or consciously, but repeatedly. Not common sins; but neglecting specific things He has mandated me to do. Sins of omission.
For example, I specifically heard the Holy Spirit say a long time ago to slow down physically, minimize commitments, and to stay focused on the task He gave to me: Bridging Bible and Real Life. However, I continued to pack my days with an abundance of good works, while squeezing in the works He gave my hands to do. Now, I have been bedbound for the last twelve days in excruciating nerve pain, unable to help myself and anybody else. I have been crying out to God for mercy!
I am in great physical pain, but I look forward to healing because my Heavenly Father is “full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15)
Even though I blew it AGAIN I pray for His forgiveness, longsuffering, and mercy. I ask Him to heal me one more time. I rejoice in the divine truth of Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”
It is our kingdom responsibility to show mercy to others. It is our kingdom privilege to receive mercy from our Heavenly Father. I praise God with all my heart that mercy is available for you and me!
Join the conversation. What are your thoughts on giving and receiving mercy?
Dr. Dorothy J. Haire
Author & Blogger
Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.
A very timely message, my dear friend! It has given me confirmation on a direction & an action I need to take. Thank you! May God richly bless you!
Thank you Dr. Haire for this weeks blog.
I praise and thank God for his new mercies every morning. Because of God’s loving kindness and mercy he’s giving me, I’m learning to pray and show mercy to others. There are times when others ask of me for mercy for the wrong things, some become harsh when I’m sharing the right way(God’s way).
I thank God that He is a Loving and merciful God, we, I always need His grace and mercy.
When I reached out to you MY LIZZY and asked if I can ask you a question and NEVER responded, this is why……
I didn’t know God would have my answer and use you to start a dialogue we all could chime in.
When I see the broken, hurt, disenfranchised and marginalized and see those who KNOW they don’t want it for theirs but act like they want it changed, dismanted and eradicated for others.
MERCY,MERCY, MERCY, MERCY!
Thanks for my clarity.
This was my word! I am guilty of all the things you mentioned and I needed to know what to ask God for. I was asking for GRACE but now I see I need to ask for more MERCY. I was and still can be a grudge holder and Ord knows I don’t want to be but I’ve come to realize even before I read this that I am walking around with a lot of resentment! Thank you for sharing this word with me. I know what I need to do now. Love you mom!
Dear Dr. Haire, first let me say that you have all my compassion, for pain is my undoing and I can feel the Lord’s mercy with each tear I pour forth until the change comes. I know as I pray for healing for you, that you will soon be thanking Him for it, and just waiting for the first opportunity to show His mercys to someone else!
The “Anonymous” was from me, I didnt wait for the ID info lines.
Thank God for mercy
I wish this sit accept emoji cause this would be the time I would use on. Thank you for an “ouch” moment.
I wish this site accept emoji cause this would be the time I would use on. Thank you for an “ouch” moment.
I to want the lord to be pleased with me. I need his mercy every day of my life. I know that I must obey his words ,I thank for mercy and grace.
What awesome wonder our God is!
Rendering mercy undeserved. How can it be repayed?
Mercy paid forward….
Thank you Dr. Haire for this blog. I truly thank God for His mercy. I’m grateful that His mercies are new every morning. Because God has been and is so merciful to me, it’s my desire to be merciful to others. I thank Him for His faithfulness.
Thank you Dr. Haire for this blog. I truly thank God for His mercy. I’m grateful that His mercies are new every morning. Because God has been and is so merciful to me, it’s my desire to be merciful to others. I thank Him for His faithfulness.
Thanking God for his mercy because I believe mercy from God is needed everyday when I overlook those who requires mercy from me and I somehow overlooked them. Not in spite nor meaness nor indifference but in ignorance.
Lord know I need His mercy that I don’t deserve and his grace that keeps me when I cant keep myself. I want to show mercy so that I can receive God’s mercy. I stumble and I make mistake and God know me better that I know myself, but thank God he look beyond all my fault, and I do have faults and still grant me new mercies everyday.
This is so good, such a reminder when you think you’re in one place and have God show you’ that little piece over there😊
This is so good, such a reminder when you think you’re in one place and have God show you’ that little piece over there😊 Oh.