Word of the Week: Mercy

“But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.”

“But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied.

“Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.”

“Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son.

Our Word of the week is “mercy.”

Justice and mercy. It’s hard to balance the two. Fortunately, Jehovah is not only a God of justice, but “The God of mercy” (Ps. 59:12).  We often think of mercy as a New Testament virtue found in Christ, but the Old Testament writers speak of mercy 233 times. The prophets speak often of His mercy on Israel and Judah.

The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.  For the Lord is a God of justice;  Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”

God is flawless in His justice.  And gracious in His mercy.  Both are based on His Righteousness and Truth (Ps. 89:14).

As John Stott wrote, “Mercy is compassion for people in need.” God’s mercy met the needs of people whether in offering salvation, or clemency. Isaiah proclaimed, “For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted” (49:13).

Mercy identifies with the victim, empathizes with their plight and acts to do something about it. You see, mercy is more than just pity. It’s more than a feeling. And it’s not the same as grace. Mercy is compassion for people in need. Richard Lenski makes this distinction; “The noun (mercy) always deals with what we see of pain, misery and distress, that results of sin and (grace) always deals with the sin and guilt itself. The one extends relief, the other pardon; the one cures, heals, helps, and the other cleanses and reinstates.”

Jesus is called “the merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17).  Often came the plaintive cry from hurting people, “Oh, Lord, have mercy on me!”  And so we see His mercy in restoring sight to the blind. Casting out demons. Curing lepers.  Healing the lame. And forgiving sins.   He’s our perfect example of mercy.

Mercy reaches out to those who sin and need our encouragement.  Paul exhorted the Corinthians, “When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’’t give up in despair.” 2 Cor. 2:7 (CEV)

We all need mercy. We sin and fall short of the mark. And since God offers us mercy, we should extend mercy to one another. Jesus said, “blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”

In the church family, it is important to show and share mercy. Rick Warren expressed it this way, “In real fellowship people experience mercy. Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren’t rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice. You can’t have fellowship without forgiveness because bitterness and resentment always destroy fellowship.”

God’s mercy should motivate us to be merciful. When you are hurt you can either chose to retaliate or seek a resolution. Mercy allows us to forgive. To let go of the past. To show compassion. And seek to restore trust and fellowship.

May our prayer be, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. And mold my heart to be merciful to others.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman