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Matthew 5:7 - The Blessing of Mercy.

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

INTRODUCTION

The best explanation Ive heard of the 
difference between the words grace and mercy is this: 
Grace means receiving what is not deserved; 
in other words, grace is Gods unexpected 
blessings on our lives. Mercy means not receiving 
what is deserved; in other words, mercy is 
Gods amazing compassion on us as we flail about 
in life, struggling and sometimes failing 
miserably. Beth Moore Devotionals Daily 

The heart of man is by nature cold and dark 
and unloving; whenever one manifests a spirit of 
mercy and forgiveness, he does it not of himself, 
but through the influence of the divine Spirit 
moving upon his heart. "We love, because He first 
loved us." 1 John 4:19, R.V. God is Himself the 
source of all mercy. His name is "merciful and 
gracious." Exodus 34:6. The merciful are "partakers 
of the divine nature," and in them the 
compassionate love of God finds expression. All whose 
hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite 
Love will seek to reclaim and not to condemn. 
Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never 
runs dry. Where He abides, there will be an 
overflowing of beneficence. The merciful are those 
who manifest compassion to the poor, the 
suffering, and the oppressed. And every word or deed 
of unselfish kindness is an expression of the 
love of Christ for lost humanity. MB21-24 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Recently, a new friend shared my personal 
and private information with a third party. When 
I found this out, all the warmth and sense of 
connection I had been building with her evaporated. I 
felt betrayed. I couldn't trust her. I tossed 
aside my plans to spend time with her. 
   Then Jesus prompted me to come to Him. As 
I prayed about the situation, I realized she 
hadn't meant any harm. She is an open, transparent 
woman, who is as chatty as I am. Then Jesus 
reminded me of the many times my words have been 
indiscreet or hurtful to others. If Jesus has forgiven 
me for those transgressions, shouldn't I show 
mercy and forgive my new friend for doing the 
same? 
   Thankfully, my friends have shown me 
mercy for my gaffes. A desire to show mercy to my 
new friend bloomed in my heart. Yes, for the 
time being, I may be a bit more cautious about 
what I share with her, but I don't want to slam 
shut the emotional door between us. Lack of 
forgiveness could easily become a habit, and I would 
begin to shut out more and more people as they 
disappoint me in some way. 
   I'm so grateful Jesus has poured out His 
mercy in my life. With His help, I hope to reflect 
that mercy to others. Sharon Hinck 
   Faith Step: Is there someone you have 
shutout of your life? Pray about whether Jesus is 
calling you to show mercy. If so, do it abundantly, 
remembering how He always shows mercy to you! [Mornings 
With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

A Culture of Mercy
   When the Bible talks about mercy, it 
doesn't simply mean "forgiveness." Years of focus on 
our own sins may paint the word in that color 
for us, but it's much more comprehensive. It 
certainly includes forgiveness, but it also implies 
having compassion on those who are in need and 
taking pity on the miserable by helping them in 
practical ways. That applies to our fallen condition, 
to be sure, but it also applies to specific 
times of distress. Those who are able to treat 
others compassionately - forgiving, providing, 
comforting, and more - are those who will receive the 
same treatment from God. 
   That brings into focus several proverbs 
about the poor and oppressed, as well as verses 
like Luke 6:38. With whatever measure we use, it 
will be measured back to us. We don't like to 
think of God's treatment of us being dependent on 
our treatment of others, but to some degree it 
is. Our experience of Him will reflect how well 
we've represented Him to those in need. 
   With that in mind, demonstrate mercy. 
Don't take pleasure in anyone's hardship, even an 
enemy's. Bless those who curse you. Forgive with the 
greatness of the grace God has shown you. Take pity on 
those in desperate situations, praying for them 
and meeting their needs practically. In other 
words and in all other ways, have a heart. 
   God's Kingdom is a realm in which hearts 
are soft and the vulnerable are safe. Just as 
Jesus was moved with compassion to heal, deliver, 
and forgive, so are the citizens of His Kingdom 
moved with compassion toward human suffering in 
all its forms. This goes beyond politics and 
economics; it's a matter of the spirit. And those whose 
spirits are sensitive enough to show the compassion 
of God will experience His compassion in 
increasing measure. [The One Year Heaven On Earth 
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Seven Ways to Be Merciful
   I challenge you to commit an act of 
premeditated mercy in each of these categories this 
week. 
   Wait. Isnt there a tension between 
mercy and personal responsibility? Yes, there is. 
But I have personally decided that if Im 
going to err, Im going to err on the side of 
being too gracious, too merciful, and too 
forgiving. Id rather go overboard on mercy"just 
look at what Jesus did on the cross. 
   So, how will you be merciful?
      	Be patient with peoples quirks. 
What person in your life has irritating  
        quirks? How can you practice 
patience with that person this week? 
      	Help anyone around you who is 
hurting. See who around you is obviously  
        hurting - and then look for a way 
you can help this week. If you cant  
        find anybody, then youre not 
paying attention. Look closer! 
      	Give people a second chance. Who 
in your life needs a second chance? How  
        can you show that person mercy and 
compassion this week? 
      	Do good to those who hurt you. 
Maybe youre suffering from an old wound  
        that you have not been able to let 
go of. Choose to forgive and then  
        turn it around for good. Who is that 
person in your life? Will you make  
        a phone call or a visit this week?
      	Be kind to those who offend you. 
Who offends you? Maybe its a  
        politician or a comedian that you 
can pray for. Maybe its a Facebook  
        friend who has different views and 
says some pretty offensive things.  
        How can you be intentional about 
showing kindness to that person this  
        week?
      	Build bridges of love to the 
unpopular. What person first comes to mind  
        when you think of an outcast? Who 
spends their lunch breaks eating alone  
        or doesnt seem to have any 
friends at soccer games? What specific thing  
        will you do this week to bridge the 
gap between you and that person with  
        love?
   Value relationships over rules. What 
unbeliever could you invite over for dinner in the next 
few weeks? Will you then step up and invite that 
person to church? This is your ministry of mercy. 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Matthew 5:7 - The Blessing of Mercy.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051019-0957.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE