What Mercy Means

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – (Matthew 5:7, NIV)

Great blessings belong to those who show mercy to others. Mercy will be given to them. – (Matthew 5:7, ERV)

“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” – (Matthew 5:7, MSG)

The dictionary defines mercy as: an act of compassion, kindness or favor. I know that kindness and compassion are always appreciated by me, especially when they are given freely and without hesitation. Though mercy is undeserved, it is tangible evidence of the goodness of God. When we show mercy, God gives mercy to us. The Lord, in His great compassion, gave us the ultimate gift of mercy. We did not deserve to be forgiven, yet He sent His one and only Son to make the way for us to be forgiven and set free. His mercy is the example and standard by which we ought to treat others. Our mode of operation should be compassion and kindness, regardless of what we receive. As a middle school teacher, I have the opportunity to extend mercy, daily. My goal is to welcome each student with compassion and kindness, no matter how they enter the room. My hope is that they might leave class in a better space than when they entered. Some days, it works well, yet others, it makes me wonder how God loves us like He does. Mercy is not sustainable without knowing the mercy of God. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, for through Him, we are equipped to be compassionate and kind, showing His favor as we choose to love.

O Lord, Your mercy,

Is oh so much more;

Than simple kindness,

We’re shown at the door.

It’s love that reaches,

The darkness within;

And provides the light,

To cleanse us from sin.

Full of compassion,

Your kindness You give;

Granting us favor,

Each day that we live.

O Lord, please teach us,

To choose live the same;

May we represent,

Your most blessed name.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only call us to be merciful, but You have shown us over and over again what it is. Thank You that as we are merciful, we too receive mercy. Forgive us for the times that we have lacked compassion or kindness. Teach us to approach each person we encounter with Your mercy that extends compassion and kindness, and grants favor that is a gift. Show us how to move in mercy with everyone we meet. Lead us to love with kindness and compassion for all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to equip us to be compassionate and kind to everyone. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38

Freely Given

When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. – (Titus 3:4-5a, NLT)

But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. He saved us because of His mercy, not because of any good things we did. – (Titus 3:4-5a, ERV)

But then something happened: God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world; He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful. – (Titus 3:4-5a, VOICE)

 

Our hope and our help come not as a result of what we have done, but rather that of which God has done. In His kindness and love, He made the way for us to be saved. Salvation is not dependent on our qualifications, but rather on our reception of that which is freely given. If we choose to believe and receive the new life that He offers, our hearts are changed and minds are made new. While we were yet sinners, He loved. Most of us are able to extend mercy to friends and loved ones, but to those who are against us? The Lord demonstrates the depth and breadth of His love through how He loves and offers salvation to ALL. There are no exceptions nor exclusions from His offer; His mercy is available to everyone. May we both receive and extend that which we have been given freely, so that others too, may come to know the loving kindness and mercy of our Maker.

 

It’s kindness and love, 

Through mercy He brings;

That we can be saved,

Freed from sinful things.

Salvation’s not earned,

By good that we do;

But given by grace,

That shows His love true.

What it takes from us,

Is choice to receive;

To place trust in Him,

Allow God to lead.

As we give God reign,

Our eyes start to see;

Others with His grace,

Kindness and mercy.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You came to save us, not because of anything that we did that made us good enough, but rather because of Your kindness and love. Thank You that You are merciful and full of grace, ready to receive all who seek Your face. Forgive us for thinking we have to measure up, rather than freely receiving that which You have to give. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would depend on You to lead us and change us from the inside out. Show us how to love others with the same kindness, love and mercy that You extend to each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive what You freely give so that we can give likewise. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31