Mercy!

Mercy!

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 KJV

What does it mean to be merciful? Simply put, we can say it is to be full of mercy, or to show mercy to others. One thing that also seems to be clear here is that being merciful is not something that can be kept private and personal, but can only be seen and felt when it flows out to other people. How can I be seen to be merciful if nobody can point to any impact I have made in his or her life? How would I be seen to be merciful if there is nothing of that same value flowing out of me to touch other people? And the part that refers to being 'full' of it is also important; you can only flow out with what you are full of. You can't fake it; if it is not there, you can't squeeze it out. 

Another thing that is relevant here is the nature of God Himself. He is seen as the Merciful God, which means He is the personification of mercy. All he does is full of mercy, otherwise, we all would have been consumed. If death is the natural consequence of sin, we would have all died, but His mercy guarantees that we get the opportunity to make a choice to accept the gift of His Son, Jesus, who came to die for our sin, so we could be free from the coming wrath. It is the same mercy that brought salvation that also brings redemption, sanctification, and births a desire for holiness in all who have come to know this merciful God. 

If indeed I have received this mercy, it will show in my interactions with other people. It cannot be hidden; it is not a wonder that Jesus pronounces blessing on me if I am able to show mercy; it means I am a good representative of God. When men come in contact with me, they experience the eye, ear, hand, feet, lips and heart of God. I do not stand in judgment over any man, but by the mercy of God I have received, I am able to relate in grace with another who is struggling, to correct where guided to do so, and to just be there if that is all that is required. I take of all that God is in me, and I affect and impact the world I have been placed in. 

Of course, you cannot live for God and be abandoned by Him. He is a gracious God, who rewards all who stand by, live for and show off his nature. When I give out of that which I have also received, I leave room to receive more. It is the world that teaches men that hoarding is good; how can I make room for fresh seed if I do not let go of the old? As I daily empty myself in service of mercy to men around me, God continues to pour out his mercy still into me, so that I do not ever lack what to give. This is who God is, and His expectations for me. Would I dare make room today for God's mercy? There is no limit to what God can achieve in a life that is totally given to Him. God's time of favour is here.