Settling My Heart By Showing Mercy

Jesus is so kind to help us understand the kinds of attitudes to have that will settle our heart.  Today’s truth is this:

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

Matthew 5:7

Mercy is the act of being compassionate or kind toward someone who does not deserve it.  God showed mercy towards us by sending Jesus into the world, not to condemn us for our sin, but to save us from it. 

This is the source of true and enduring peace.  It’s our model in responding to others in a way that brings peace to all of us.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

When a person stands before a judge for a crime they have committed, what are they hoping for?  Normally their lawyer will have prepared them for the likely penalty for the crime, but their hope is that the judge will have mercy and give a lesser sentence. 

God, the righteous judge, did not give us a lesser sentence than the one we deserved for our sin.  Instead He sent Jesus into the world to be our substitute.  Jesus paid the penalty for our sin in full, cleared our record and brought us peace with God. 

We are not acting with compassion and mercy if we chose to call others to account for every unkind thing they say or do, or if we desire they suffer for the things they have done.

Showing mercy and forgiving is God’s way for us to walk in His light.   This will bring peace to our souls and settle our hearts.

Heavenly Father, we confess that we have been reluctant to forgive those who have harmed us.  Fill us  with Your love and compassion so that we can be like you and show mercy from a generous heart. This is your way of peace for us today.  Help us to walk in it.  Amen

Once again Jesus’ truth seems a bit upside down from what we have known but if we truly want to have a settled heart then this is the way.  Show mercy as we have been shown mercy.  Let’s move in that direction today, shall we?