God’s mercy, giving mercy, and accepting mercy
We all desire forgiveness, mercy, and a fresh start with those we may have wronged in order to know other’s hearts and the extent in which we need each other. We are, by design, always wanting to be forgiven and loved by others and to be in communion by others, we were never meant to be mean and hateful toward each other. This is why giving mercy to those who do and seem to not deserve it is important in our walk with Jesus, we are to forgive those who wronged us in order to be forgiven. Mercy is a doubling blessing when done properly; it blesses the one receiving it and it blesses the one giving it out. We are told to cry out for mercy to God, give mercy and forgiveness to everyone, and finally, to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness for ourselves.
Life will have very tough moments, from pain and anguish, to financial crisis, to loses of loved ones and friends who we grew close to. In these moments we may feel worn out, in pain, tired, and weak in sorrow with streams of tears coming from our eyes. In these moments, we must turn to God who does feel our pain in a very real way as well as he dwells within us and knows everything we go through. Through these storms, battles, the sins we commit and then repent from, and through this walk we are walking with him in, God will remain merciful and faithful to us. God will do this regardless if stick and remain faithful to him, he may take a loved one and you may go astray for a while and then return; he will still love you and give you forgiveness and be right where you left him. When in despair, call upon The Lord our God and, most importantly in those times, our very much good and loving Heavenly Father. He wants to take that pain and he wants to guide you through and make it known that he still loves you and he will help you through while also knowing how much it hurts you.
In order to receive God’s wonderful mercy and forgiveness when we call upon him, we must always do the same to others. We too must give freely mercy and forgiveness to those who may have wronged, regardless if you think they deserve it or not. If you are holding back forgiveness because of something someone did and claim they do not deserve it, then God will hold back his because we all most definitely do not deserve the forgiveness and mercy he gives. Giving out this gift is being like our Heavenly father, God gives supplies the needs of those who reject him as it is written
“that you may be children of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”
Matthew 5: 45
Just as God gives the unrighteous their needs, we are to forgive them regardless of what we think of them for they are also made by God. If anything, help them see who God’s children are by being kind, loving, vulnerable, and forgiving toward them so then they might repent and receive his forgiveness for their life.
Accepting God’s mercy is through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior knowing what he did by spilling his blood for us on the cross. When we pray, we acknowledge that we need him as our guide, redeemer, source of forgiveness, love, and joy. We put aside our desires, egos, and will knowing that he is perfect and he will guide us, protect us, and love us beyond comprehension of any human mind. Its through these acts of knowing we are totally dependent on God for every breath and every second and repenting of our sins daily, is how we receive his forgiveness, love, peace, and joy. Through Jesus our Lord and Savior dying for us, we can receive the eternal salvation, life, forgiveness, and mercy that God has to offer us; all we have to do is pray and trust him entirely.
In conclusion, we must forgive and give mercy in order to be forgiven and to receive the mercy God wants all of us to have and to rejoice in. If you feel like God does not see you in the place you are stuck, know this, God is called the “God who sees” by Hagar when she was thrown out by Sarah in Genesis. God meet her right where she was in despair and reminded her that he is with her and to return to Sarah and Abraham to continue what God needed her to do. You may feel discouraged and tired and want to stop, God will meet you right there and help you through while giving you encouragement along with his unfailing love and his unfailing faith in you. Keep pushing, keep praying for those who persecute you, ask him for guidance and strength and everything will be Okay. Trust God entirely with everything, Amen!