Read

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Think

We live in a culture that thrives on callouts and clapbacks. Social media turns mistakes into headlines, and cancel culture demands payback. Mercy? That’s rare. The world teaches us to cut people off when they fail, but Jesus flips the script: blessed are the merciful. He’s not saying, “Ignore the wrong.” He’s saying, “Respond with the same grace you’ve been given.”

Mercy is messy. It means forgiving when it’s easier to hold a grudge, choosing kindness over retaliation, and helping those who can’t repay you. It’s not natural—it’s supernatural. Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “Followers of Jesus must be men of mercy; for they have found mercy, and mercy has found them.” Mercy isn’t weakness; it’s power under control. It’s looking at someone who deserves judgment and offering love instead. That’s exactly what God did for us.

Here’s the paradox: the more mercy you give, the more mercy you experience. It frees you from bitterness, strengthens relationships, and reflects God’s heart. But withholding mercy? It hardens your soul. Jesus makes it clear—mercy is a two-way street. If you want to live in the fullness of God’s grace, you have to extend it to others.

So, who needs your mercy today? A friend who betrayed you? A coworker who messed up? A family member you’ve written off? The world says, “Make them pay.” Jesus says, “Let it go.” Mercy doesn’t excuse the wrong—it entrusts it to God. The question is: will you?

Apply

Give without expecting in return. Look for a way to show mercy through action—help someone who can’t repay you, encourage a struggling friend, or meet a need without seeking credit.

Pray

Lord, you have shown me mercy when I didn’t deserve it. Help me to extend that same mercy to others. Soften my heart toward those who have wronged me and teach me to respond with grace instead of resentment. Give me the strength to forgive, the humility to let go, and the wisdom to love like you do. Let my life reflect the mercy you have so freely given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.