GOD of Mercy

DCC Devotional Title: God of Mercy
by Dr. Don Vess

Key Verse:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
— Matthew 5:7 (NKJV)

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Devotional Thought:

Mercy is one of the most powerful and misunderstood expressions of God’s character. According to Merriam-Webster, mercy is “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power.” Spiritually speaking, mercy means not getting what we deserve and, instead, receiving what we don’t deserve—grace.

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a God of great mercy. Consider two of the most unlikely recipients: King Ahab and King Manasseh—men whose wickedness should have sealed their judgment. Ahab plotted murder to seize a vineyard; Manasseh rebuilt pagan altars, practiced witchcraft, and led Judah astray. And yet, when each of them humbled themselves before God, He responded with mercy.

Ahab’s repentance was brief, and he squandered his second chance. But Manasseh’s repentance was deep and genuine, and it led to real reform. Both stories remind us that God’s mercy is available to the worst of us when we humble ourselves before Him.

God’s mercy is not limited to kings or prophets—it’s poured out on us through Christ. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That is mercy beyond comprehension!

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Personal Application:
•Have you received God’s mercy in your life? If so, are you extending that same mercy to others?
•Mercy doesn’t just free us from judgment; it calls us to forgive and show compassion to those who wrong us.
•Jesus taught us to forgive seventy times seven—to keep “open accounts” and live in peace with all people (Matthew 18; Romans 12:18).
•Mercy received must become mercy given.

Let this truth take root in your heart: You were once enslaved by sin and destined for judgment—but God, in His mercy, paid your debt through Jesus Christ.

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Scripture Reflection:
•Titus 3:4–5 (GW):
“However, when God our Savior made His kindness and love for humanity appear, He saved us—not because of anything we had done… but because of His mercy…”
•Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV):
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
•Ephesians 4:32 (NLT):
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

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Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your unfailing mercy. I don’t deserve it, and yet You have freely given it through Jesus. Teach me to live in awareness of that mercy every day. Help me to forgive as I’ve been forgiven, and to show compassion as You have shown compassion to me. Make me a vessel of mercy to a hurting and bitter world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.