A Call to Mercy

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

A Call to Mercy

I was walking down the road recently when I passed by a car with a bumper sticker that caught my attention. It said, “Mean people stink,” though the word used wasn’t quite so polite. And as I thought about someone who’s been unkind or unfair to me lately, I found myself nodding in agreement: “Yep, mean people do stink.”

But in that moment, it was as though the Lord was gently calling me off the road and onto the carpet. He said, “By labeling that person as mean, by putting them in that box, Johnny, you’re being mean too.” And I had to pause, convicted by the truth. How often do we need mercy ourselves, yet so quickly withhold it from others?

The truth is, by calling someone else mean, I was doing the very thing I was frustrated with them for. How desperately we all need God’s mercy—and the good news is, it’s available to us all. The scriptures remind us, “Let us come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” That throne of grace is where we find endless mercy, both for ourselves and for others.

So today, may you have a meaningful day, free of mean-spirited thoughts and filled with mercy—God’s mercy. As we receive His mercy, let’s extend it to those around us, including those who come to mind that may not deserve it. Because in truth, we all need mercy. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” How grateful I am that He is the master of mercy.

May the Lord bless you today with peace, shalom, and an abundance of mercy as you walk through your day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.