Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7 (NASB)
Today, in the beautitudes we come to those who are merciful in their lives with others. Mercy comes from the Greek word eleēmōn which means to be actively compassionate unto others, to demonstrate mercy in our actions. John MacArthur defines mercy thus:
“Mercy is meeting people’s needs. It is not simply feeling compassion but chowing compassion, not only sympathizing but giving a helping hand. Mercy is giving food to the hungry, comfort to the bereaved, love to the rejected, forgiveness to the offender, companionship to the lonely. It is therefore one of the loveliest and noblest of all virtues.“
In this mercy is the active fulfillment of God’s Law – it is love in action. The practice of mercy is infectious; it receives mercy in return from those who are blessed by mercy at first, and God smiles upon our mercies showing mercy to us in return. As believers, we look forward to the mercy of Heaven as our reward in the long term, but Father God can be merciful in our rewards in this life too.
“Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. In nothing does God delight more than in the exercise of mercy. All the blessings we enjoy are proofs of his mercy.” Albert Barnes.
Dear Reader, the mercy of God is found throughout Scripture. Psalm 103:8 (ESV) says “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Paul tells us it was by God’s mercy that we are saved in Titus 3:5, and then in Hebrews 2:17 we find our Lord Jesus described as our “merciful and faithful high priest.” We are saved by Christ our Redeemer and brought into God’s family, and we inherit the family trait of mercifulness. I pray that you will share this mercy with those in need each day, not for your own gain but to glorify your Father in Heaven and your Saviour. May the Holy Spirit reward and bless you in your mercifulness to others!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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