“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:

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?