Settling My Heart By Showing Mercy

 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.  How then should we respond towards others? 

 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 and cleared our record.  God’s love and mercy towards us is freely given.  We then should be like God and freely offer others forgiveness, love and mercy.  Forgiveness and mercy come from a heart that has been changed by the extravagant love of God for us. 

 We are not acting with compassion and mercy if we choose to call others to account for every unkind thing they say or do, or if we want them to suffer for the things they have done to us in the past.

 Showing mercy and forgiveness is proof that we are walking in the light of God.  This will bring peace to our souls and settle our hearts.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I confess that I have been reluctant to forgive those who have harmed me.  Fill me with Your love and compassion so that I can be like you and show mercy from a generous heart. Amen

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