Mercy Unfailing

http://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3326

The link above is a link to one of my favorite preachers, Mike Bickle. He has a ministry out in Kansas and today I was watching one of his sermons on Matthew 5:7-10. A large portion of his message was about mercy. It got me thinking about the mercy in my life that I take for granted and the mercy that I all too often hold back from others out of ignorance.

Mercy. A term that when I hear, I can't help but immediately think about the Lord. Many people have graciously showed me mercy throughout my life, but none are as consistent and gracious as the Lord. It's something that we don't forget, you know? Think about a time that someone extended mercy towards you; I'm guessing you haven't forgotten. All too often I have done something or said something that was so hurtful to a friend or family member. When they have responded with love and forgiveness, I've never forgotten. Mercy (as pointed out by Mike Bickle) is demonstrated in various ways: a few being shown through tenderness towards those who mistreat you, those that annoy you, those that have fallen into sin, and those that are in poverty.

How often do I fall short of extending mercy and forgiveness to others? I hold on to others offenses against me, and I justify my actions constantly. If I see someone in poverty or oppression, I feel sympathy, but often take no action. As Mike Bickle also stated in his sermon, "it's not mercy if action doesn't take place."

Why am I going on and on about mercy...? To try and earn God's love? To talk about something I really suck at doing? No. I'm going on because I think we all miss the point. We either are apathetic and blind to the lack of mercy we extend towards others, or we constantly strive to give mercy but it is not with the right heart. Pastor Furtick at Elevation once said, "we don't forgive to be forgiven, we forgive because we are forgiven." God's mercies towards us are tender, unfailing, constant... the list goes on and on. As stated by Bickle, "we typically only give mercy to the degree to which we understand the mercy we've been given." Dwell on all the mercy God has showed you in your life (notably, and ultimately the gift of his son, Jesus), and then mercy will flow out of you naturally as you look towards the Lord!

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning..."
-Lamentations 3:22-23