Matthew 5:7 – Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!

Of all the statements Jesus makes in Matthew 5, this appears to be the easiest. I mean, only really, really evil, heartless, menacing creatures would show no mercy, right? Ah, no. We are all guilty of showing no mercy.

Perhaps the most difficult time to show mercy is when you feel like mercy has not been forthcoming to you. Being cheated, robbed, violated and abused often causes people to treat others the same way. This is where one’s understanding of blessing comes to the fore – happy, to be envied… regardless of their outward conditions. Regardless of whether you have been treated with mercy yourself, you are blessed if you are merciful. Why? Because eventually, you will receive mercy.

Lamentations 3:23 tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. If you struggle to be merciful, pray each day and ask for some of those fresh mercies. There’s plenty to go around, and you’re blessed if you do.

Be amazing.

 

Read more from Sarah Coleman on her blog, Be Amazing.