God's Mercy Defined
Exodus 34:6 — Then the Lord passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness);
Psalm 103:8 — The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 — It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.
Mercy in Action
Matthew 5:7 — “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Luke 6:36 — Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.
James 2:13 — For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.
The Call to Show Mercy
Micah 6:8 — He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?
Colossians 3:12 — So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];
God's Mercy Defined
Exodus 34:6 — The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Psalm 103:8 — The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Lamentations 3:22-23 — The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Mercy in Action
Matthew 5:7 — God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Luke 6:36 — You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
James 2:13 — There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
The Call to Show Mercy
Micah 6:8 — No, 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.
Colossians 3:12 — Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
A Story of Mercy in the Old Testament
A Story of Mercy in the New Testament
Luke 10:30-37 — Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead. Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road]. But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him], and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?” He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”