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Matthew 5:1-2, 7
In this next “Beatitude” as found in Matthew 5:7 (NKJV), “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy”, we have the words of Jesus connecting this to a new way of life as He states in Matthew 9:13a, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ [Hosea 6:6]. The idea of mercy was established in the Old Testament as we learn from Micah 6:8 (NIV), “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This is a promise that those who show mercy will obtain/receive it from God.
It is hard for me to think of mercy without thinking of grace. Grace is the giving of something good, such as a gift, to someone who has done nothing to deserve the gift, and mostly does not deserve the gift. Mercy is refraining from delivering punishment or judgment on someone who does deserve to be punished. God has been merciful to us in not punishing us for the sins we have committed. He has shown us grace in giving us a gift that we do not deserve, nor have we earned. He has given us a gift that will last for eternity; He has given us salvation in and through His one and only Son Jesus, through His grace and mercy to us. We too should exhibit the grace and mercy of Christ Jesus to others as we strive to be a reflection of Jesus in the world today.
Dear LORD,
You have been so merciful to us in this sinful world. You continue to exhibit patience and mercy while You wait for us to turn from our sinful ways and put our faith in You – in the eternal gift that You have given us in Christ Jesus. Please help us to focus on Jesus and the mercy that You have shown to us, that we would strive to show mercy to others. In Jesus name I pray, amen.