“Mercy is never cowardly. Mercy is strength. It takes courage to be merciful in a world like this.” Sophia Slade
Yesterday my husband and I read a devotional concerning loving mercy. I found the topic so interesting that I decided that I would write about this concept. What is mercy? Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Let’s face it, mercy is in short supply in our culture at the moment. Cancel culture comes to mind. My goodness, when I read that someone was “canceled” for something that they said 10 years ago I just sigh. What happened to being human? Now, having said that I understand that there is responsibility concerning what you post online. But I wonder if in the infancy of social media people thought, “Well, probably 12 years from now someone is going to find some random thing I said, bring it up and try to cancel me.” I don’t know, I just don’t think people took that long of a view of social media when it was still new and fresh. Mercy has left the building.
What does it mean to possess mercy?
God is the epitome of mercy. In Lamentations 3:22-23 says: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness, Oh Lord. Every single day God gives us mercy. When Lamentations was written Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians. The people had worshiped other gods for an extended period of time, as a result of that they received God’s judgment for their actions. I find it fascinating that in the midst of destruction the prophet Jeremiah knew that God’s love would still prevail for the people and the nation of Judah. No matter how far we stray from the straight and narrow path, we can return to God because He is passionate and forgiving. Think about it, society does not possess much mercy, but God does.
We must love mercy
In Micah 6:8 God has some pretty amazing words for Israel: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. I want to point out the phrase “to love mercy.” How do we love mercy? Is it even possible for us to practice? I would say that if we act on our own merits and strengths that no, we cannot. Cancel culture is a prime example of that. It doesn’t even have to be something as silly as cancel culture. Are you holding unforgiveness or a grudge in your heart? God has given us mercy that is new each and every morning. Should we not aspire to do the same. One of my pastor mentors used to always say, “Forgiveness is a fact, not a feeling.”
What did that phrase mean?
I was confused by that phrase for quite some time. How can it be a fact when I have these harsh feelings that are much less than merciful for someone? She explained to me that in making the decision to forgive I have made the first conscience step towards mercy. After all, when we sin it does indeed hurt God’s heart yet he forgives. After that step is made, the feelings will eventually accompany that decision. They may rear their ugly head from time to time but you have to remind yourself that you chose mercy rather than a root of bitterness that will keep you in a bad place. After all, in that act of mercy you are making the step to clear your mind, conscience and spirit.
God did not have to give us mercy
God didn’t have to give us mercy, yet He sent His son. As we continue in our walk with God and as we get to know Him, we are instructed by Jesus to model God in our behavior. Matthew 5: You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let us strive to learn mercy
We won’t reach perfect on this side of heaven, but we can mature in a walk of godliness in mind and character. We are God’s children and He desires for us to grow in our walk with Him. I am reminded of the hymn, “In the Garden.” “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear; the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other as ever known.” To walk in mercy is to walk with God. Let us strive to Love Mercy.
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