“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There are many ways to attract the mercy and favor of God. Some of the most known are prayer, generosity, and forgiveness. These are biblical and powerful disciplines. However, there is another deep and often forgotten path that opens the floodgates of divine mercy—a path that touches the very heart of God.
That way is refusing to take revenge and not rejoicing when those who oppose you fall.
The principle of mercy runs throughout Scripture: “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).
God’s mercy is drawn to those who reflect His own nature. To be merciful is to demonstrate the divine image within us. When we forgive, bless, and show compassion to others—even those who hurt us—we participate in God’s own character, for “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8).
Many believers today have been misled into thinking that God delights in the downfall of their enemies. Some even pray for the destruction of those who wrong them, as if God’s justice meant personal revenge. Yet Scripture clearly warns us otherwise:
Proverbs 24:17–18 (ESV)“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away His anger from him.”
This verse reveals a vital truth about God’s nature: He is not vindictive. His discipline is redemptive, not destructive. God allows hardship to humble people, to bring them to repentance—not to satisfy our desire for revenge. When we gloat over another person’s fall, we step into pride, and pride always invites God’s opposition (James 4:6).
Remember Jonah: he eagerly waited to see Nineveh destroyed, but God rebuked him for his lack of compassion (Jonah 4:9–11). The Lord said, “Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons…?” God’s mercy extended even to those Jonah despised.
When people mistreat you—when they slander, insult, or persecute you unjustly—Scripture calls us to a higher response:
Romans 12:17–21 (ESV)“Repay no one evil for evil… Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
God’s justice is perfect. He does not forget, but He also calls us to trust Him with the outcome. When you forgive and pray for those who wrong you, you’re declaring that God—not your emotions—is your defender.
This attitude doesn’t make you weak; it makes you like Christ. True strength is seen in restraint.
King David understood this mystery. He never rejoiced when those who sought his life fell. When Saul died, David mourned (2 Samuel 1:11–12). When Absalom perished, he cried out in agony (2 Samuel 18:33).
During his flight from Absalom, a man named Shimei cursed David openly. Yet David refused to retaliate:
2 Samuel 16:10–12 (ESV)“But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, “Curse David,” who then shall say, “Why have you done so?”…Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.’”
David saw every insult as an opportunity for blessing. He believed that God could transform human injustice into divine favor.
This attitude reveals profound humility and trust in God’s sovereignty. David’s heart mirrored Christ’s heart—a heart that forgives in the midst of pain.
Job also walked in this truth. Despite his suffering and the hostility of others, he said:
Job 31:29–30 (ESV)“If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him—(I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse).”
Job’s restraint reflected genuine righteousness. His integrity and compassion made him a man
Job 1:1). “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1).
Job 1:1).
“blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1).
When the trial ended, “the Lord restored the fortunes of Job… and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).
His mercy brought multiplication.
Every principle of mercy finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV)“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
At the Cross, Jesus prayed for His executioners, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This prayer embodies the highest expression of mercy.
Because of His obedience and humility,
Philippians 2:9). “God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name”
Philippians 2:9).
“God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name”
If we share in His mercy and humility, we shall also share in His exaltation. To forgive when it hurts, to love when it’s undeserved—these are the marks of true sons and daughters of God.
Theologically, mercy is not weakness—it is divine power expressed through compassion.
Mercy suspends judgment. (Lamentations 3:22–23)
Mercy restores relationship. (Ephesians 2:4–5)
Mercy reveals the Kingdom of God. (Luke 6:36)
When you refuse to retaliate, you stand on the foundation of the Cross, where justice and mercy met. Mercy triumphs because it reflects the very nature of God’s salvation.
Paul wrote:
Romans 9:23 (ESV)“In order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory.”
You are called to be a vessel of mercy. That means to reflect God’s patience, compassion, and forgiveness toward others. Even when you are wronged, your gentle response becomes a testimony of God’s transforming grace.
Do you desire mercy, favor, and blessing from God? Then choose the path of mercy. Accept reproach without retaliation. Pray for those who wrong you. Bless those who curse you.
Remember:
David was blessed because he refused to curse.
Job was restored because he never rejoiced at his enemies’ downfall.
Christ was exalted because He forgave His persecutors.
If you walk in the same spirit, God will exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6).
Romans 12:18 (ESV)“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Mercy disarms hatred. Forgiveness invites favor.The one who refuses revenge reflects the heart of God.
Do you want God’s mercy?Then extend mercy to others.
Do you seek His favor?Then love those who don’t deserve it.
For this is the way of Christ—and the mark of His true disciples.
Jesus Christ is coming soon.Let us live as people of mercy, shining as children of our Father in Christ.
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