Are You Reflecting This Aspect of God’s Image to Others?
This is the very definition of mercy. As we draw closer to God and He pours more and more of Himself into us, there will come a point when we start reflecting many of God’s attributes including His mercy. As we see how undeserving we are in times of great need and how God meets where we are, we experience His mercy.
Some get a sense of mercy when they throw themselves at the mercy of the court. They have been convicted of a crime, know that they are undeserving of escaping punishment, and are in great need of relief. Before the judge, they plead with him to reduce or waive the sentence. They are at the judge’s mercy.
Likewise, a child is at his/her parent’s mercy when they get caught red handed doing something that they are not suppose to do, then the child pleads and cajoles begging for the parent’s mercy.
The Bible has several instances in which people reflect God’s image of mercy upon others. Joseph granting mercy to his brothers is such an instance. Joseph’s brothers were in a real pickle. Driven by famine they left their home in Canaan and went to Egypt to buy grain.
Unbeknown to them, Joseph was in charge of grain sells and when they showed up, Joseph immediately recognized them. Joseph could have vindicated himself by refusing to sell grain to them because his brothers sold him into slavery and told their father that Joseph had be torn into pieces by a “fierce animal” (Genesis 37:33 ESV).
But Joseph didn’t choose revenge, rather he showed his brothers mercy and sold them the grain and eventually invited his entire family to Egypt to preserve the family, the remnant of Israel, and bloodline that led to Christ.
Is there someone in your life that you have been riding hard? Is there someone that you won’t extend the time of day? Is there someone in your life that doesn’t deserve your kindness?
Reflect this aspect of God’s image into their lives by being merciful to them. Tough to do? You bet. Think of it this way, God has a beef with man. We don’t live up to his expectation of perfection and He has every right to release His wrath on us as He did when He turned Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt for disobeying Him (Genesis 19) or struck dead Annanias and Sapphria for lying (Acts 5) as punishment for not being perfect.
Yet, he doesn’t…”the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145:8-9)
Let’s follow His lead and reflect His greatness to the undeserving.
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By David Zook, Pastor Morningside Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, AZ.
Physical for the Christian Soul 
Dear Friend,
You couldn’t have picked a better story than the story of Joseph to show what it means to be merciful.
This verse should also help us to be merciful: Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).
Keep up the good work.
tyrone ferrara
March 27, 2009