“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Compassion International’s website states the following regarding mercy:
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them. The word mercy derives from the medieval Latin word merced or merces, meaning “price paid.” In legal terms, mercy often describes compassionate behavior from someone in power—like a judge showing clemency, leniency, or mercy during sentencing.
The Bible also defines mercy as being—[even] beyond forgiveness and withholding punishment. God shows his mercy for those who are suffering through healing, comfort, the alleviation of suffering and caring about those in distress. He acts from compassion and acts with mercy. In Matthew 17:15, Jesus showed compassion and healed a child suffering from seizures which demonstrates that He mercifully loves, heals, and restores.
My friend, the Bible reveals God’s mercy as something much deeper than simply withholding punishment.
Mercy is a constant theme in Scripture, starting with the greatest act of mercy ever displayed: God the Father showed mercy on us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
God’s mercy is His love in action.
It’s not limited to forgiveness—it extends to healing, comforting, and alleviating suffering. It is the compassionate response of a loving Father to His children in distress. In Matthew 17:15 a man cried out to Jesus saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely.” Jesus responded with compassion and healed the child. His mercy not only forgives—it restores, it lifts burdens, it mends brokenness.
Mercy is not just something God gives us—it’s something we are commanded to give others.
The beauty of mercy is that anyone who recieves it from God—can offer it to others. You may not wear a judge’s robe, but you can still choose mercy. For example:
- Be patient with the waiter who brings the wrong order.
- Pray for the driver who cuts you off in traffic.
- Withhold retaliation against someone who seems to “deserve it.”
- Resist the temptation to feel smug when someone who wronged you falls into trouble.
Mercy provides us a wonderful platform for sharing the Gospel and God’s gift of salvation.
Mercy is a deliberate choice. It’s easy to justify harshness. It feels natural to withhold kindness when we believe someone has earned punishment. But when we choose mercy, we choose peace—for ourselves. In fact, we become peaceMAKERS for those around us as well. Mercy is more than restraint. When we truly grasp the depth of God’s mercy toward us, we are moved to go beyond simply NOT retaliating. Mercy motivates us to actively comfort, help, and bless—even those who have mistreated us.
The abundant mercy we receive from God awakens in us a desire to become fountains of mercy. Psalm 103:8, 10-12 & 17 reminds us:
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us… But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.”
We don’t deserve God’s mercy, but He lavishes it on us anyway. When we begin to show mercy to others in the way God has shown mercy to us, we tap into the fountain of His supernatural peace. God is never running on empty. He is never lacking.
Mercy is a fountain that flows from the throne of God’s grace and we are His channels to a thirsty world.
Reflection Thought:
Who is God asking you to show mercy to today? Are you holding back forgiveness or kindness from someone who doesn’t “deserve” it? If you are born again, you possess a cup overflowing with mercy—it is impossible for you to drink it all yourself. Exercise mercy and flood your life with peace.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Your incredible mercy toward me. You have not treated me as my sins deserve, but You have poured out grace, forgiveness, and compassion beyond what I could ever earn. Lord, help me to be a fountain of mercy. Teach me to withhold harshness and instead extend kindness, patience, and comfort to those around me—even to those who may have wronged me. Fill me so fully with Your mercy that I overflow, blessing others as I have been blessed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
