APRIL 19, Matthew 5:7

The word “mercy” indicates compassion for people in need and a desire to help them. We see mercy first of all in God’s relationship with man. He is a merciful God and shows us the gift of mercy continuously. God delights in mercy. We see that God’s mercy is great, plenteous, everlasting, good, tender, rich and abundant.

God has shown His mercy to us by giving His Son Jesus Christ to die for us so that we are pardoned and saved from our sins. Each day of our life, each hour, and each moment, we guilty sinners receive God’s undeserved mercy. All the blessings we enjoy are evidence of His mercy.

Now if the supreme desire of a person who hungers and thirsts after righteousness is to be like Jesus Christ, then this person should certainly show mercy in his dealings with others just as Jesus was merciful to others. If we, then, show mercy to others (such as the poor, the wretched, and the guilty), it shows that we are like Christ. We have His Spirit, and will not lose our reward in Heaven.

But how can a child like you show mercy in your life? Everyday of our lives we have opportunities to show that we are like Jesus Christ. We can help the poor and the less fortunate – perhaps the cleaner in your school or at a hawker centre. We can forgive those who injure or hurt us. We can show compassion on the souls of unbelievers by praying for their salvation. We can pity those who are in sin and pray that God will stop their sinful ways.

Thought: God is merciful and shows mercy continuously, so should I.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for being merciful by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross to take away my sins. Just as I have received so much mercy everyday from You, Lord, please help me be merciful to others around me. [Is there any family member or friend whose salvation you wish to pray for, too?] In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.