“Blessed Are the Merciful”

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

BIBLE READING: Psalm 145.14-20

God’s dominant desire is mercy (Matthew 9.13; James 2.13). He is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34.18). He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (Psalm 147.6; Proverbs 3.34; 1 Peter 5.5; James 4.6). This characteristic of God is a promise and a calling for us to be humble as we seek him. But the scriptures don’t call us to simply fabricate humility but rather to understand our helplessness and reject our foolish pride. What God offers is a way of life that we cannot muster on our own.

And yet we try sometimes… We try to have meaningful relationships, careers and lives chasing what we desire. We invest ourselves in things and people looking for peace and purpose. We want peace with our circumstances, our decisions and our failings. We want our lives to have purpose and meaning. But we all are met with disappointment doing our own thing. God offers those to us perfectly in Christ, but in our selfishness and limited understanding we sometimes get off track.

Like we said last week, we must not miss what God is offering. Every good thing comes from God (James 1.17). His goodness in the present is his prompting to see his grace throughout history, culminating in redemption through Christ. He is so merciful he allows good things to come to both the just and unjust, hoping all will see their need and turn to him (Matthew 5.45; 2 Peter 3.9). God is merciful for our good and his glory; but that mercy is limited by our response.

Recall the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18.23-35). A man owed a king so much he could never pay him back. The king order both he and his family to be sold to pay the debt. His life was practically over. He begged the king for mercy, and it was granted. Everything was forgiven. As the man went back about his life, however, he did not demonstrate the same mercy to others. He mercilessly demanded a fellow servant pay him back a meager debt. He choked him and had him thrown into prison. When the king heard of it, he was furious with the man and revoked his mercy, saying, “Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 19.33-35).

We must understand the nature of God but also the calling of his mercy. We must fear him and reflect his mercy to others (Psalm 145.19). We must never presume upon his mercy and grace but rather submit and differ to his judgment. He will do what it right and it is his place to do so. As it is written, “never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12.19-21)

God has offered us peace, purpose and hope through his mercy, and we must do the same. “Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5.7)

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