What is Mercy?

Day 14 matthew 5:7


Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

The first question we might ask is how does a person become merciful? John Piper writes, “The key to becoming a merciful person is to become a broken person. You get the power to show mercy from the real feeling in your heart that you owe everything you are and have to sheer divine mercy.” Simply put, when we understand the depth of God’s mercy to us, we are compelled to offer the same mercy to others. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Mercy also has a sense of empathy to it. Merciful people bear the burdens of others.  They see people in need and reach out to them. In Hosea 6:6 the prophet declares, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Sacrifice can often be motivated to be seen by others, whereas mercy is a matter of the heart. It comes from a heart filled by God’s love, as it has been filled by God’s love. Where do you need to have mercy for someone in your life? 


Jesus, we thank you for the mercy you have shown us. Show us those in our lives who need our empathy to remind them that you will not leave of forsake them.  In Your name, Amen. 

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