SHOWING MERCY
Mercy is one of the sweetest flowers that grows in the garden of grace. It is the fragrance of a heart that has lingered long in the presence of Christ.
A merciless spirit may know the language of religion, but it has forgotten the melody of the gospel. The Lord who forgave our immeasurable debt now calls us to forgive those who have sinned against us.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). The Christian who has truly gazed upon the cross cannot remain cold toward the failings of others, for Calvary is the school where mercy is learned.
Consider how patiently God has dealt with you. How many times has He restored you after failure, comforted you after wandering, and welcomed you when repentance brought you home?
His compassions are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
If the Lord has carried us with such tenderness, should we not carry one another?
Mercy does not excuse sin, but it reaches toward the sinner with compassion.
It does not abandon truth, but it clothes truth with gentleness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
There are opportunities for mercy every day. A harsh word may be answered with gentleness. A wrong may be met with forgiveness. A burdened soul may be strengthened by an encouraging word.
Such acts may appear small in the eyes of the world, yet heaven delights in them. The Lord Jesus Himself declared, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13).
Let us therefore seek hearts that resemble our Savior’s, whose hands healed the broken, whose lips spoke grace to the repentant, and whose dying prayer was, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
The mercy we extend to others is not the cause of our salvation, but it is precious evidence that the mercy of God has taken root within us.
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Merciful Father, thank You for Your unfailing compassion toward me. Forgive me for every hard and unforgiving attitude. Fill my heart with the gentleness of Christ, that I may freely extend mercy as I have received it. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
BDD
