DAY 8 – MERCY

“How blessed you are when you demonstrate tender mercy. For mercy will be demonstrated to you.” Matthew 5:7

Other words for mercy are goodness or justice. Mercy is best described as forgiveness, pardon, and forbearance. It is abundant compassion, true love, and kindness. In fact, it is part of the very nature of God.

The cross was not fair, and Jesus’ death was not fair – this is the ultimate expression of love in extending mercy to those who do not deserve it.

We want grace but are often stingy with grace. Unforgiveness is nonacceptable in God’s sight and foreign to what we believe and hold onto. We are forgiven so much and thus extending mercy, freely pardoning, and releasing all resentment is a natural flow out of the unmerited grace and favor we know as children of God.

“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:26

When we are angry, it is sometimes our natural reaction to want to hurt the one who hurt us. But if you have mercy, you don’t blame, shame, or punish, even if they deserve it.

If it is deserved, it is not mercy.

Mercy sets the wrongdoer free from the fear of punishment. It allows them instead to be perfected by love.

Prayer: Abba, Your mercy is unfathomable. Your love is so wonderful and so unending. Thank You for the mercy extended to me in Jesus and the finished work on the cross. Thank You that through it I am set free from fear and instead am free to be perfected by Your love. I choose today to release anyone and everyone that has hurt me or done me wrong. I release them as an act of my will so that unforgiveness will never block Your pardon of my iniquity. Be glorified Father! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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