Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
The mercy of God is one of those beautiful ways of God we sing about, as well as benefit from, on a daily basis. God, Who is righteous and holy in all of His ways and demands the same of mankind, is at the same time full of mercy. One of the primary ways God revealed Himself was the One Who was gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness (Psalms 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). When Moses desired to know who God was, the first thing God described Himself as was merciful (Exodus 34:6). Because of God’s mercy, He is forgiving and longsuffering towards us; and we glorify Him for His mercy (Romans 15:9; Ephesians 2:4-7).
Now, equally important for us to understand is God also demands that we be merciful (Luke 6:36, 10:37). In fact, if we refuse to be merciful, then we will not receive mercy from God. If we refuse to forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:33-35; James 2:13). God wants us to love to show mercy (Micah 6:8). Showing mercy to others pleases Father more than sacrifices (Matthew 9:13, 12:7, 23:23). Allow the Holy Spirit to overwhelm you with the love of the Father so mercy and forgiveness will flow out of your heart to your friends – and enemies alike (Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 2:20-21; 1 John 3:16-17).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen