Mercy Stands Against Deserved Judgment

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Consider this quote:  mercy stands against deserved judgment.  Does that grate against you?  I mean, if we are going to be merciful, probably the first people we feel mercy towards are those whom are struggling through no real fault of their own.  That’s the kind of misery we tend to want to alleviate. But, those who are suffering as a result of their own actions?  They made their bed – let them lie in it – right? That makes sense.  But probably there is this uneasiness in your soul.  The blessed don’t dismiss or ignore that uneasiness.

Yes, we are not to circumvent consequences that God has put in place; but, yes, we are to be merciful, by attempting to do something to alleviate the pain of those who have put themselves in it.  Sometimes, that is so very hard to determine.  That’s why Biblical mercy is motivated by the Holy Spirit and not our own sense of rescuing or compassion towards those in pain.  Biblical mercy involves prayer – seeking Him so that we don’t get in the way of what He is doing, or allowing in a person’s life.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

The merciful get mercy; the judgers – (get this definition of judgment – “an opinion formed or expressed”) – those that do that, or those that withhold mercy get mercy withheld.  Oh, how very desperate I am for God’s mercy, aren’t you?

Then there is this absolutely glorious statement – Mercy triumphs over judgment or mercy rejoices over judgment.  I like thinking of it this way, in terms of playing cards – mercy trumps judgment.  Just picturing Satan playing his cards against us - judgment coming down  - and suddenly Jesus plays His mercy card. We should be doing the same towards others.

As you read the following account of a man who fell into a pit, consider which of the “responders” you tend to be.  What has God taught you about showing mercy to others?

A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out

An empathetic person came along and said, “I feel for you down there”

A Pharisee said “Only bad people fall into pits”

A gossip wanted to know all the details

A self-pitying person said “You should see my pit”

A fire and brimstone preacher said – you deserve your pit

A psychologist noted - your parents are to blame for your pit

A self-esteem therapist said – believe in yourself and you can get out of the pit

An optimist said – things could be worse – at least the pit isn’t full of quicksand

A pessimist said – there’s nothing worse than this

But, Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

The blessed are meek – they know who they are (poor, but precious) and they let God take care of them.  The blessed hunger and thirst after righteousness (hungry but know they are fillable).  And the blessed are merciful (sinners deserving judgment but getting mercy instead and passing it on to fellow failures).

May this day, be a “mercy” day for you and through you to others.