Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

When I was twelve years old, I left my home and family in California to visit my grandmother in Iowa for six weeks. It was my first long trip by myself without my family. I also spent time with my aunt in Iowa.

While Aunt Eleanor was on the riding lawnmower cutting the grass, I was inside her house. The corn on the stove boiled over. I quickly turned off the burner. Unlike the gas stove at home, the electric burner stayed hot! The water continued to boil over. Not finding a potholder, I grabbed a towel to move the pot. The fringe of the new towel burned off as it touched the red-hot burner!

I dreaded telling Aunt Eleanor as I shuffled off to the football field-sized lawn. How would she react? I only saw her every few years, so I wasn’t sure what she would do. Aunt Eleanor quickly forgave me for burning her new towel. She even taught me how to use the riding lawnmower, which I thought was a lot of fun.

As I think back to that event, I am touched by the forgiveness given to me. A towel may have been a small thing, but to my young self, it was huge! I messed up, and my aunt showed me mercy.

Mercy is a wonderful attribute that originates from God Himself. The Lord is compassionate and kind. He is patient. He is willing to withhold the punishment each of us deserve for our sin and to forgive us.

Reread I Peter 1:3, above. Notice that God acts on our behalf according to His great mercy. I think of that being in measurement to His character. How great is God’s lovingkindness and forgiveness? The depth of His mercy is evident through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. It doesn’t stop there! He causes the one who believes in Him to be born into a living hope through Christ’s resurrection. Like Christ Jesus, our hope is alive. It grows as we know Him more.

God’s forgiveness, pity, and compassion extends to our daily lives. In Hebrews we are told:

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

I love that we do not have to approach God with dread. He invites us to come to Him as He sits on His throne. Sometimes I like to imagine that my Heavenly Father will hold me as He listens and guides me. His mercy and grace are wonderful.

* Take time to thank God for His mercy given to you. How has it impacted your life?

Scripture tells us to be merciful.

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

How can we show mercy to others? Here are a few ways.

• Forgive others — even when they don’t deserve it!
• Give judgement with compassion
• Provide a meal to someone in need, including for an enemy (Proverbs 25:21)
• Visit a shut-in. Schedule it ahead of time so the person can be ready to see you.
• Call people who are absent from church or other places you gather. Show you care. People are hurt when they do not know they are missed.

* Please share additional ideas in the comments section.

Let’s follow God’s example. His Holy Spirit will show us how.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your love, compassion, and patience. Merciful God, help me to be more like You. Amen.

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Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.