A young man lost his job and decided to shoot victims in
the Washington Navy Yard. The victims’ crime was to merely be there. We recently
heard about the violent killings in a mall in Kenya. The victims’ crime
was to merely go shopping. We live in a world where the innocent are
routinely killed or wounded. Sadly we have become used to a continual
drumbeat of people mercilessly hurting others.
Although merciless acts such as these attract high profile news coverage, our daily acts of denying mercy to others can go unnoticed. The driver that cuts us off who gets a prompt honk of the horn, the waiter who could not quite get our order right and does not get a tip that evening, or the boss with an unreasonable request who gets an assignment turned in that is not our best are acts where we have denied mercy to others.
The Bible says if we are merciful to others, we will be blessed.
We may feel that we are justified in correcting someone who has wronged us,
making someone pay a price, or teaching someone a lesson. In those
moments it is important to reflect on the greatest example of mercy in
history, Christ's pardoning of our sins. He wants us to follow his
example, and cast the injustices that we face over to Him.
Even in the moments where no one may be watching, let us exercise mercy, trust that God can handle it, and walk in God's blessing.
Even in the moments where no one may be watching, let us exercise mercy, trust that God can handle it, and walk in God's blessing.
Romans 12:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Psalm 37:25, 26
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Psalm 37:25, 26
Amplified Bible (AMP)
25 I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the
[uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread
26 All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed.
Matthew 5:7
26 All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed.
Matthew 5:7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
7 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
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