Mercy: Pass It On

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

God is merciful. In fact, He delights in mercy as the prophet Micah recorded, “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy” [Micah7.18].

As a Christ follower, we have the privilege to show mercy too. In the physical realm, we can give money to the poor, feed the hungry, or shelter the homeless. God wants His people to do that. Moses wrote, “If there is a poor man with you . . . you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from [him]; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks” [Deuteronomy 15.7-8]. Helping the poor is a merciful thing to do.

In the spiritual realm, we show mercy when we rebuke sin. Paul said, "The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all . . . with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” [2 Timothy 2.34-25]. That is showing mercy because it gives unbelievers an opportunity to repent and find forgiveness. 

Praying for someone is merciful. So is preaching. In fact, sharing Christ with someone is the most merciful thing you can do. 

The list of ways to show mercy is long. My goal this morning is to encourage you to find as many ways as possible to pass on the abundant mercy God has shown to you. There are many, many ways to show mercy.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5.7