Lord, Help Me To Give Mercy
I sure am glad that Jesus placed “Mercy” after “Poor in Spirit” and “Meek”. Not that mercy is of less importance, but because it’s impossible to be merciful if your not poor in spirit and meek. Mercy is a virtue that can be very easy to give or very difficult to give. It’s easy to show mercy to the child who is in need. It can be very difficult to show mercy to someone who has hurt you. The real test of whether or not we can be merciful, will be in those difficult situations.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”. Matthew 5:7 KJ
To show mercy is to be compassionate, kind and forgiving, or to provide relief in a situation. Some synonyms for mercy are pity, sympathy, humanity, understanding, generosity, leniency, benevolence, forbearance and grace.
In Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 & 7, we find a great definition of the mercy of God. “…the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” NIV
My Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible gives this comment on Matthew 5:7, “Mercy is the missionary and altruistic (unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others) attitude of the Christian character.”
Sometimes I say, that mercy is not my gift. In all honesty, I have come to realize that what I needed was “poor in spirit” and “meek”. Unselfish ~ Get Over Myself (pride issues), were the key words for me. Mercy does not come, until we understand this.
Think of a time (one of those difficult situations) when you knew you should be merciful, but a pride issue got in the way. Think about this: Did your pride issue have anything to do with your emotions? Write down your answers. ____________________________________________________________________
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According to Matthew 5:7, what happens when we are merciful? ______________________
Key #5 to spiritual blessedness is to become merciful. The gift we receive is mercy.
Thought to Ponder: The merciful are blessed because they place the rights and esteem of others above their own.
Scripture to Ponder: Psalm 136 ~ His Mercy (love) Endures Forever
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