We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

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!
Matthew 5:7 AMP

As I was researching this verse, what struck me was the call for self-evaluation—am I merciful?  What does it mean to be merciful?  Systematic Theology defines mercy as “…the eternal principle of God’s nature which leads Him to seek eternal salvation….even at the cost of infinite self-sacrifice.”  He extends mercy and grace to us, even to those who oppose Him, both now and forever more.   Am I willing to sacrifice in order to show mercy?   Do I show mercy to those I don’t like, even to those who have hurt me or oppose me? Easton’s Bible Dictionary says mercy is a Christian grace. The Greek Dictionary uses words like “tender, kindly, compassionate.”  Is that who I am?

Joyce Meyer calls the Beatitudes the “Be-Happy-Attitudes.”  Mercy (and being merciful) is just that—an attitude.  It is more than taking action, more than a surface experience.

• Mercy needs to become ingrained in me.
• Merciful should be what I am as a Christian.
• Merciful means I need the right attitude before I take action.

Mercy is not  about overlooking sin or being easygoing in the face of wrong.  It is having sympathy and compassion for those who are hurting.  To be merciful is a heartfelt desire to help, or to alleviate suffering.  Being merciful is to bear the pain and misery of others, without pride, (being aware of the mercy I have been shown) with no expectations, not seeking anything in return.  For Matthew 25:40 tells us “…to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

There is no better reason to be merciful than the mercy that has been extended to me.  Undeserved mercy!  But our gracious God rewards us when we are merciful. The Amplified Bible says we are “…happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous…” when we are merciful.

• Proverbs 11:17 tells us: “The merciful man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him].”
• James 2:13 puts it this way: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  But we should be merciful even if there are no rewards simply because we are called to be merciful.
• Micah 6:8 says “And this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Luke 6:36 states: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

So today I am examining my attitudes.

I want mercy to be who I am, not just something I do.

Maybe you do, too.

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord, I am so very thankful You chose to extend mercy to me, even before I knew You.  I did not nor do I deserve the sacrifice You made for me.   But I gratefully accept Your merciful gift.  Please remind me to be merciful in heart and spirit as well as action and deed.  My desire is to become more like You and for others to see You shining through me.  In Your precious and holy name!  Amen, so be it.