Here's your daily devotional!

If you wish to receive these free devotionals every weekday by E-mail, click the button below. Note: you'll have to log in or create your membership account first. Membership in the League is free. Join now!

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

“Mercy: To Be Shown by Us to Others”

Thoughts for Today:

In Scripture, the word "father" is used many times to describe the originator or source of something. So when Paul describes God as "the Father of compassion" he is saying that our heavenly Father is the author, source, and originator of all compassion (or mercy). Nelson's Bible Dictionary defines MERCY as: "the aspect of God?s love that causes Him to help the miserable, just as grace is the aspect of His love that moves Him to forgive the guilty. Those who are miserable may be so either because of breaking God?s law or because of circumstances beyond their control."

Each time humanity called out in faith to Jesus, His mercy reached out to meet that need. For example, Matthew 9:27-30: "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have MERCY on us, Son of David!' When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes, Lord,' they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith let it be done to you'; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, 'See that no one knows about this.'" (See also, Matthew 15:22-28; Mark 5:19, 10:46-52; and Luke 17:11-14.)

We find that mercy is one of the great Christian virtues -- not only to be received from God -- but to be shown by us to others. Matthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." James 3:17: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

Questions to Ponder:

How have you been demonstrating mercy in your daily walk? In James 3:17, mercy and good fruit are connected. Are you producing good fruit? If not, do you need to spend more time studying and praying about how to become "full of mercy"?

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.

You can start from Day 1 at any time. Messages are sent automatically. Subscribe now! You may unsubscribe at any time.

About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.