Daily Devotional
Do You Have Mercy that Leads to Action?

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Matthew 5:7


Ponder This

I heard of a preacher who was preaching about compassion. He said, “I was walking down the streets of a town, and I looked over in a doorway, and there was a man passed out with dirt and trash blowing up around his body. All down that busy street, people were well-dressed and going about their business. But they ignored the humanity on the ground. Nobody was stopping. Nobody did anything. And then after we had gone to dinner and come back, he was still there. Nobody had done anything.” What is wrong with that illustration? He noticed the need, but he didn’t do anything either.

Isn’t it amazing how we always think another should do it? This man had softness and maybe sentiment, but he did not have mercy. Mercy is compassion in action. Mere sentiment is not enough. Mercy leads to loving action.

  • Who do you know that you would say has the gift of mercy? Why?
  • Is there an area in your life in which you regularly see people in need?

Practice This

Consider what needs you may encounter today. What is one thing you could do to help?

FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY

Real Truth Never Changes

Real truth never changes, and the truth about government is that it is God who ordains it, leaders who are responsible for it, and citizens who are accountable to it. The privilege of being called Americans comes with significant responsibilities—to God, to each other, and to the world.