Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. — Matthew 5:7
Probably next to love, no other character quality so defines God as that of “mercy”.
- And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” — Exodus 33:19
- “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” — Psalm 25:6
- “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions” — Psalm 51:1
- “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us . . .” — Ephesians 2:4
The believer who has experienced such mercy from God now is told in Christ’s kingdom he or she is to be “merciful.” An old Puritan definition of mercy is:
A melting disposition whereby we lay to heart the miseries of others and are ready on all occasions to be instrumental for their good. — Thomas Watson
Mercy is likewise granted to those who show mercy. [Read more…] about Devotions: Beatitudes (5) — Mercy