What exactly is mercy? Webster's defines it as "compassion shown especially to an offender. A blessing that is an act of divine favor. Compassionate treatment of those in distress.".
Our God is like that. Remember the woman caught in the act of adultery? In John 8:7-11 he tells people who are without sin to cast the first stone. Then Jesus tells her to go and sin no more. Basically the 'Becky paraphrase' of what he is saying is "Hey there, you think you are perfect and without fault? Well hey guess what? You are not."
Humans may treat people poorly and show rejection to sinners but we all have fallen short of the glory of God it says in Romans 3:23. It saddens me when a parent kicks a child out of the house for telling the parents they are pregnant out of wedlock or something deep like that. Parents are supposed to represent Christ and show love and mercy not tell their own flesh and blood to get out of their sight. They may not like what they did but they are to be there with open arms. Romans 2:4 reminds us that "kindness leads to repentance". Beating up on a person will not win them to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:23 is comforting as it says "Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh every morning." Luke 6:36 says "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful." Finally in Ephesians 5:1 it tells us to "be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children." You know what that means? Work on your mercy meter.
PRAYER: Give me your strength to show mercy and kindness to others. We all need mercy at times and Lord I am thankful you are merciful to us when we have messed up. Thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link below to praise God in song. May his name be lifted higher.
http://youtu.be/-6GfXa5Ixhw
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