How important is mercy?<\/p>\n
Webster defines mercy<\/em> as \u201ckind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly.\u201d To the one who is indebted, guilty, or seeking forgiveness, mercy is of great importance.<\/p>\n How important is it that mercy is a part of God\u2019s character?<\/p>\n Throughout Scripture, mercy is present. God told Moses, \u201cI will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Exodus 33:19).<\/strong>\u00a0Several of the psalmists\u2019 writings are described as \u201cprayers for mercy.\u201d Luke explains that it is \u201cbecause of the tender mercy of our God\u201d (1:78)<\/strong> that we will be visited by the Sunrise from on high. The gospel writers tell stories of those seeking Jesus\u2019 help, and they often began their cry to Him with a plea for mercy. Paul encourages believers not to lose heart, because we have received mercy in our ministries. He also explains that God is \u201crich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us\u201d (<\/strong>Ephesians 2:5)<\/span>\u00a0In his letter to Timothy, Paul writes that we find mercy so that Christ\u2019s perfect patience with us may be demonstrated. God\u2019s people are instructed in Hebrews to \u201cdraw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (4:16).\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n If our God were not merciful, seeking His mercy would be pointless. If we did not have the mercy of God upon us, we would know only His wrath and His judgment. Condemnation would be ours. Yet He is a merciful God. Loving. Forgiving. Slow to anger. Faithful. True. We live our days needing God\u2019s hand of mercy upon us.<\/p>\n We have the opportunity to show mercy in our horizontal relationships as well. When we consider what we have been given\u2014the incredible gift of mercy from a Holy God who chooses to look upon His Son and pardon us\u2014how can we not show mercy to our fellow man? When we live lives focused vertically, our horizontal realities align beautifully in blessing.<\/p>\n Lord, let me be a woman of great compassion and mercy this day, for You have been most merciful to me.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How important is mercy? Webster defines mercy as \u201ckind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly.\u201d To the one who is indebted, guilty, or seeking forgiveness, mercy is of great importance. How important is it that mercy is a part of God\u2019s character? Throughout Scripture, mercy is present. God told Moses, \u201cI … <\/p>\n