“Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”
Thomas Watson calls mercifulness “a melting disposition whereby we lay to heart the miseries of others and are ready on all occasions to be instrumental for their good.” This disposition is modeled by Christ frequently when he sees the sick and lame and blind. In such encounters, the gospels regularly say, “he had compassion on them.” But his compassion didn’t stop at merely feeling certain things about them. Christ was willing to be moved to action by the suffering of others. Like the Good Samaritan, he was willing to be interrupted and inconvenienced in order to attend to the needs of those around him.
This fact can be difficult for us to deal with sometimes. Are we so quick to drop whatever it is we preoccupy ourselves with in order to attend to the needs of others? Or, perhaps the better question is how often do we plan ahead and get that thing done in advance so that we are ready and prepared to help in a moment of need? In other words, do you find yourself constantly frustrated by the needs of others because you didn’t plan well enough? What about with your kids or your spouse? Do you often view their needs or requests as inconveniences to your daily schedule?
We think this way, and yet there is a terrifying implication to Christ’s words here. What happens if we are not characterized as people who are merciful? What happens if we become like the Scribes and Pharisees who perform all kinds of religious duties but neglect the weightier matters of the law; such as, justice, and faith, and mercy? If being merciful brings with it the great blessing and reward of receiving mercy ourselves, then to not be merciful is to incur the curses and judgment of God.
It is true that we cannot earn God’s mercy; otherwise, it would not be mercy. But as Galatians 6:7 says, “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” By sowing mercy, you reap mercy. And by failing to sow mercy, you will not receive mercy.
And so the question comes: Do you need the mercy of God today? What about in your marriage? Could you use a bit of God’s mercy because of how you spoke harshly with your wife, or how you berated your husband? What about your strained relationship with your kids or your parents? Do you need God’s mercy there? If so, don’t wait for things to magically change. Confess your own failures. Confess where and how you have been unmerciful, where you’ve been critical, or harsh, or nagging. Confess it now and pray that the Lord would fashion you into a worthy instrument to be ready at all times to seek the good of others.
Zach Wilke – April 14, 2024
