Receive Mercy

Mercy has been the topic of reading and conversation over the last few days for me and the Lord.  Merciful is something I desire to be with all my heart, but have trouble practicing.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist, firstly with myself, and unfortunately that tends to extend towards other as well.  I battle a critical nature on a daily basis. 

I know every time I make a mistake, I don't want to be made to feel "less than," or dumb or worthless.  I'm beginning to see mercy is more than just forgiveness, it's the ability to look past the mistakes and flaws of others, and let them just be human.  It's overlooking mistakes and seeing the valuable person standing in front of me, be it on the job, at home, in the supermarket....wherever.  And the fact is they may have not even made a mistake at all, sometimes their action is only a mistake in my eyes.  Criticism and judgement do not mercy make!

But this was only part of the message the Lord was giving me.  The second part just about exploded my head last night as I sat praying and studying during my lunchtime.  Much like many years ago when the Lord showed me His love depended on Him and not on me, He brought me to the same place of understanding of His mercy. 

I learned last night, that I really don't accept His mercy for myself.  I reject it every time I feel I deserve the problems or calamities that come with life.  I reject it every time I blame my past mistakes for the circumstances I live in now.  I reject His gift of mercy based on my actions, my character, my choices and leave His loving heart out of the equation.  I reject it every time I reject myself.  Wow.  Is it any wonder I have so much trouble extending mercy?  I don't own it for myself and you can't give away something you don't have. 

Do you reject God's mercy too?  Some of us are good at showing mercy, but refuse to accept it from God or from others.  Some, like me, cloak our lives in perfectionism, looking for it everywhere and only finding frustration.  Either way is unbalanced and not as our Father intends. 

Luke 6:36  Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

God is merciful.  He desires to give us mercy.  He does give us mercy!

Psalm 116:5  Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.

You can look up verse after verse after verse of the Lord's extension of mercy toward us.  And He expects us to let that mercy flow to others as well. 

Micah 6:8  He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

This is quickly becoming a favorite verse.  It basically sums up our walk with God.  We are to love mercy.  And that means for ourselves as well as for others.  Humility tells us we need God's kindness, justice tells us to share kindness with others. 

Lord, You never cease to amaze me with new teaching in my life.  You never fail to show me the deep needs of my heart and bring Your healing touch to the wounded parts of me.  Thank You.  I pray that You will use this latest revelation to help others as well.  I know there are many like me who feel Your mercy is not for them, they don't deserve it, they've made or make too many mistakes....Lord You are so beyond what we deserve....and I am so grateful for that.  Once again, You are above all our human-ness.  Thank You.  Help us to receive and to share Your mercy.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Look up verses on mercy...Learn to receive and to give!