Blessed are the Merciful | Matthew 5:7

*Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”*

This is the only one of the beatitudes where we receive what we give. It reminds me of the law of sowing and reaping. There’s not a soul that doesn’t want mercy when he or she has trespassed, and the way to obtain mercy for your trespasses is to show mercy to those who have trespassed against you.

*What Is Mercy?*

Mercy is undeserved pardon. This is not forgiving your friends or being good to those who are good to you, but pardoning those who don’t deserve it. The only way you’ll ever exercise this grace is to see yourself in their shoes. If you are a child of God, you came guilty before God and He pardoned you. Remember how graciously and freely and fully He pardoned you? Now do for others what He has done for you—freely and fully and graciously pardon your trespassers.

*The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant*

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a parable of a man who was shown mercy but refused to show mercy to those who trespassed against him. Here was the conclusion to that parable: “And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:34-35).

The merciless are tormented, eaten from the inside out with bitterness and harassing thoughts of all the wrongs ever done to them. Not only do they miss the blessing of receiving mercy, but they are tormented. While the merciful live free from bitterness and hard feelings.

*Sow Mercy*

Today, why don’t you sow in mercy so you can reap it in the days ahead? It may look like a loss at this hour, but like seed it will come to fruition in the season to come, and when you are reaping mercy you’ll be glad you sowed in mercy. Surely, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.