Scripture
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.(Luke 6:36, ESV)
Thoughts
The meanings of the word merciful include pitying or showing compassion. Therefore, Jesus’ statement here could be translated, “Be compassionate, even as your Father is compassionate.” It is so important for you to understand that God is compassionate and merciful.
Let’s look at a place in the Bible that tells us about his mercy:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.(Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
God’s mercies are new every morning. When we wake up each morning, God says, “Here are new steadfast love and new mercies for you, out of my faithfulness.” Encouraging! We probably sinned last night, but God’s love and mercy is new this morning. Does that mean we should continue sinning? No way! We shouldn’t think lightly of God’s mercy—it isn’t to be taken for granted.
Application
How frequently do you offer your mercy to others? Is it weekly? Monthly? Or is it every day? When you are merciful like God is merciful, you have new mercy every morning for everyone. Today can be a day of renewed compassion. The Lord can empower you to awaken with a new, steadfast love for your family and friends. This is what is great about knowing the Lord: receiving his mercy, love, and faithfulness. I hope it is also what is great about you—that you extend new mercy and love to others.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the new mercies you have shown me today. Help me to also be loving and merciful to others today.… Continue praying.