This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.
Scripture reference: Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
Today, I am thinking about the importance of being merciful.
We are now wrapping up our series on Jesus’ sermon on the mount, and I am reflecting on Matthew 5:7. In this passage, Jesus tells us that God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
When we turn to the Bible, instead of looking at someone who was successful at showing mercy, let’s look at someone who struggled in that area. This was certainly the case for Jonah.
God instructed Jonah to preach a revival in the town of Nineveh. However, Jonah didn’t want to preach to the people who lived there because he thought they were too unworthy to hear God’s word, much less be saved by it.
Initially, Jonah ignored God’s request, but he eventually went to Nineveh and preached a powerful revival. It was so powerful, in fact, that it turned 120,000 souls to God. In turn, God showed mercy to these sinners.
The lesson that Jonah had to learn, and that we occasionally need to remind ourselves of, is that we all need to be shown mercy. Therefore, it is also our job to be merciful toward others.
There may be times when we feel as though God is not on our side because He is showing others mercy. The key is that we have to keep our hearts clean while God extends mercy to the other side.
As you think about your relationship with mercy, hold onto these words: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.
So today, be merciful to others as God will be merciful to you.
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