During recent elections, the word “mercy” became the heart cry of many [no matter which side you were on]. A theme of mercy was prevalent in prayers and proclamations throughout the country. Regardless of whether any believed in it, mercy is always what we all need.

The very nature of mercy itself is this: mercy received is always mercy undeserved. Unearned. Unmerited. It is nothing less than a gift. And it can be received, treasured, and given – or it can be squandered.

“Mercy is undeserved kindness. In scripture it is linked to covenant—God’s covenantal faithfulness and kindness. We are told that His mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and they also triumph over judgment (James 2:13).”
- Dutch Sheets

Micah 6:8 reminds us to love mercy:  “… O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 (NLT)

Clearly mercy is not to be taken lightly, tossed aside, or forgotten. From the beginning – mercy was in the breath of God in the garden, the blood that flowed from Christ on the cross, and will be in the heavenly Jerusalem and eternal life that awaits us. What’s not to love about mercy?!

Mercy allows us to “walk humbly with our God.”

Mercy propels us to extend grace and forgiveness to others.

Mercy is a lifeline and a lifestyle.

BECAUSE CHRIST EXTENDED HIS LOVE TO US [while we were yet sinners], we can receive his mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16 states: “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

BECAUSE CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US as our Shepherd, we can say with David: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ...” (Psalm 23:6)

BECAUSE JESUS BECAME OUR TEACHER, we can listen to the words he taught: “… go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' (Matthew 9:13)

During months of fighting between Syria and Israel in past years, Israel chose not to sit idly by while its enemies suffered. Israeli hospitals and medical centers provided treatment for thousands of Syrian civilians. One Israeli ambassador stated that the government was looking for other ways to help. “We are prepared to take in wounded women and children, … bring them to Israel, take care of them in our hospitals as we have done with thousands of Syrian civilians,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a letter to the Israeli Prime Minister, a chief rabbi closed his letter with these words: “This should be our eternal declaration, that we, … who believe in the sanctity of life, do not distinguish between blood and blood. We treat all people as those who were created in the image of God, even if we are talking about enemies.”

At Reach Beyond, we strive to demonstrate compassion and mercy to the unreached around the world. We are committed to taking the same mercy that has been shown us to those who have never even heard the name of Jesus. To the forgotten, the impoverished, the “least of these”, even to the resistant.

Even as Jesus said to the woman ready to be stoned by her peers and enemies “Go and sin no more”, so must he surely say to us: Go and hate no more. Go and love mercy.