Mercy and Me

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

I am sometimes surprised at the things God uses to redirect my thoughts and ways—things like billboards. I had been treated unfairly (or so I thought). It wasn’t a huge offense, but I was mulling over in my mind what I was to do. While driving, I passed a billboard. With a quick glance I saw these words, “Your choice: mercy or…” That’s all I had time to read, but that was all I needed to see. That sign was a nudge from the Lord that I was to choose mercy. In other words, I was to show love and compassion toward that person. I was to forgive the wrong that had been done.

In Micah 6:8, God says we are to “love mercy.” Showing mercy when I’ve been wronged in a slight way isn’t very difficult. But extending forgiveness to someone who has deeply and grievously wronged me is profoundly challenging. Can you relate? 

Throughout scripture, God describes Himself as merciful. He delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18) and extends mercy to the undeserving repeatedly. His mercies are new every day. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Mercy is a foundational part of His character and always will be.

How can I grow in my love of mercy toward others? One way is to reflect on God’s mercy toward me. I know that I have egregiously wronged the Lord by going against His ways and by doing wrong to others. Yet scripture tells me that

...God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). As I remember Jesus’ sacrifice for my forgiveness, I am more prone to extend forgiveness toward others.

Lord, keep me mindful of your mercy toward me. Transform me so that I, like you, love to be merciful to others. Amen.

Jan Burkhart