Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:7

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

If you could only realize how much your eternal welfare depends upon My mercy, you would be very quick and gracious in being merciful with others when they sin against Me or offend you.

Perhaps, if you will remind yourself that all that you are and all that you have and all you ever will be is because of My mercy, it will help you to be more merciful.

When you compare yourself with other, you may feel that you are living a good life, and that you don’t really need mercy because it is only a virtue extended to the wicked. But remember that the Pharisee believed the same when he prayed in the Temple, daring to boast to God how good he was. What he didn’t realize was that he left the Temple as great a sinner as what he had been when he had entered, whereas the tax collector, who had cheated everyone on his taxes, recognized and confessed his sins and cried out, while smiting his breast, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” returned to his home justified in the sight of God.

Never neglect to ask Me for mercy, and when asking, extend your mercy to others, for in whatever measure you give mercy, that much shall you receive in return (Matthew 7:2).

Remember that one day you will need mercy, and according as you have given to others, so shall it be given to you.

True mercy does not wait for the transgressor to repent before it is extended.

The one who is critical of others and who is judgmental in attitude is without love. He finds it hard to be merciful of other people’s faults and short comings. It takes love to be merciful. Only by loving can you show mercy.

That is why God can be merciful to you, because of His great love for you, for “God is love.” (I John 4:8)

If you find it hard to be merciful, remember the pit out of which you have been dug and the rock out of which you have been hewn (Psalm 40:2; Isaiah 51:1).

From the Heart of Jesus by Gwen Shaw
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