What does mercy mean to you? Do you think of mercy as forgiveness? Do you think it means showing compassion? Do you think it is having pity on someone? Do you believe it only applies to friends or family? Will you show mercy to an enemy? How does God show mercy to you?
Showing mercy to others can be a challenge. We may think they deserve what is coming. We may have said, “they have made their bed, now they must lie in it.” Mercy includes forgiveness, compassion, and pity. We are called to show mercy to others in the same way God has shown mercy to us.
God is merciful to all of us, even if we may think otherwise. If God was a hateful God, he would strike us down the moment we were disobedient. Thankfully, God is a merciful God. He allows us to not only continue to live but blesses us in ways we do not realize. We are blessed with family, friends, jobs, homes, food, clothing, and any number of possessions. It is in God’s mercy that we stand.
Though we are disobedient, God shows mercy to us. Though others are disobedient, God shows mercy to them. We like to point the finger at the disobedience of others. We would be better served to recognize our disobedience and thank God for his mercy on us. It is when we take on this attitude that we are better positioned to show mercy to others.
I pray we all recognize our disobedience toward God. I pray we thank God for his mercy on us. I pray each one of us will show mercy to others, even those we deem as our enemies. Recognize your disobedience. Thank God for his mercy. Show mercy to others.
Romans 11:32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
Marty Pressey 