Mercy
You can also listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Mercy-eh1235
Daily Word:
Matthew 12:7
“And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless.”
Jesus was talking with the Pharisees who were grounded in rules and sacrifice.
They had questioned Jesus about He and His disciples doing what was unlawful on the Sabbath.
They had been hungry, so they picked grain and ate it – an act that was against their law to do on the Sabbath.
Jesus knew the Pharisees’ hearts.
He knew they did not have a personal relationship with God, the Father.
And they didn’t have a road map that would bring them close to the Creator.
They followed rules and regulations.
They combed over scripture and sought out specific things they could do to try and earn God’s favor such as sacrifice.
They followed the rules to the letter of the law.
However, their hearts were hard.
They heaped heavy burdens on their congregation.
And they did not help to relieve those burdens.
They were judgmental and judged harshly.
They considered themselves pious, but their hearts were not loving toward God or their fellow man.
So, Jesus said, “I desire mercy”.
The Amplified Bible defines mercy as a “[readiness to help, to spare, to forgive]”.
The Lord desires that we help others, help lift others’ burdens, and spare them from pain.
Lastly, the Lord desires that we forgive.
God’s Almighty plan was to send His Son to die for us so that we may be forgiven.
In turn, the Lord desires that we offer that forgiveness to our fellow man.
How can we not offer what was so freely given to us?
A death on a cross – a crucifixion that was undeserved – saved everyone, not just you and not just me.
Today I choose to follow Jesus’ request and offer mercy, help to others, and forgiveness as much as I am able.
May you find that Jesus will soften your heart to offer mercy to those around you.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, Your Word says that I should offer mercy. Jesus told the Pharisees that mercy is preferred over sacrifice. Help me generously and freely offer mercy to others just as Jesus died to offer me mercy. Help me be ready to help those around me without hesitation. Help me spare others and prefer them over my own needs. Help me offer forgiveness freely and generously, Lord. Find any weakness or hardness in my heart and soul, Father, and mend it so that I may be a servant of mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son so that I may be freely forgiven and have a relationship with You. Thank You for loving me so much that You were able to offer up Your Son as a sacrifice for all people everywhere from the beginning of time to the end of time. May we, as a people, forgive all those around us, Father, and become Your servants of mercy. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I desire mercy, My child, and not rules and religion from My people.
Response: Soften my heart, Lord, so that I may be a servant of mercy.