Mercy may be bold and bright. Mercy may be courageous but mercy is never calculated. Mercy has a heart and mind of its own. Mercy can be a great ally. The denial of mercy can mean death. Mercy may be as silent as sleep. Sometimes mercy sounds like a bird chirping in a tree.
Here is what Jesus said about mercy:
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:34-36)
So our orientation toward mercy is not because of who we are but because of WHOSE we are. As children of God we imitate our Father who commits random acts of kindness such as allowing the sun to shine on both the righteous and the unrighteous, those who "deserve it" and those who don't. Let us then be merciful just as our Father is merciful.
Song for today: "Have a Little Mercy" by Johnny Osbourne.
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