In Search Of A Better Tomorrow

Time Alone With God daily devotional

Written by Phil Stout, lead pastor, JAXNAZ church
http://www.philstout.org/daily-devotionals/

Saturday, September 10

Read: Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Start

Consider: It’s easy to look at the fifth Beatitude—the fifth blessing—as a future promise only. I saw it that way for years. If I’m merciful now, then someday God will show me mercy by allowing me into heaven. But God has already been merciful to me. One day on a cross and every day of my life are gifts of mercy.

You see, the biblical concept of mercy is very close to the idea of forgiveness. Just a few moments after giving us this blessing, Jesus said…

“…if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (6:14)

And a few moments later he said…

“…with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (7:2)

I think the promise that merciful people will be given mercy is a promise for every moment of my life here and now. And part of that is the mercy I will receive from others when I have been graciously merciful to them.

I believe our lives with God and with one another are to be lives that inhale and exhale mercy, forgiveness and love.

This week we’ve heard God proclaim it through the prophet (Hosea 6:6) and Jesus affirm it as he lived among us (Matthew 9:13, 12:7) and Paul put it to poetry (1 Corinthians 13:13). And they all tell us the same thing. Nothing is more important.

Pray: To remind us to live the life of a mercy-giver this day, let’s pray the Prayer of St. Francis…