SETTLING MY HEART BY SHOWING MERCY

Mercy is the act of being compassionate or kind toward someone who does not deserve it.  God showed mercy to us by sending Jesus into the world, not to condemn us for our sin, but to save us from it.  How then should we respond towards others?

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  (Matthew 5:7, Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

When a person stands before a judge for a crime they have committed, what are they hoping for?  Normally their lawyer would have prepared them for the possible penalty for the crime, but their hope is that the judge will have mercy and give a lesser sentence. 

God, the righteous judge, did not give us a lesser sentence than the one we deserved for our sin.  Instead, He pronounced the full and proper sentence but sent Jesus into the world to pay that penalty in full.  By His death on the cross, Jesus brought God’s love and mercy to us and offered to clear our record. 

In the same way we are called to be like God and offer others our forgiveness, love and mercy.  Forgiveness and mercy come from a heart that has been changed by the extravagant love of God for us.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT)

We are not acting with compassion and mercy if we choose to call others to account for every unkind thing they said or did, and hope they suffer.  Showing mercy and forgiving others is God’s way for us to walk in His light.  This will bring peace to our souls and settle our hearts.

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have been reluctant to forgive those who have harmed me.  Fill me with Your love and compassion so that I may be like You and show mercy from a generous heart. Amen