Thursday, February 13 2021[Jesus continued:]
“God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”— Matthew 5:7 NLT18

Key Thought

God treats us much, much better than we deserve. That fundamental, undergirding spiritual truth is the reality of grace. He has seen us in our sin and had mercy on us because of his great love for us (seeRomans 5:6-11). Even though we have repeatedly proved unfaithful and undependable, both individually and as a group, God has been gracious and merciful. He has repeatedly offered forgiveness, help, redemption, and salvation when we least deserved it. Rather than dealing with us strictly as law would demand, God has dealt with us as a loving father does with his children. This conditioning reality must show up in us also. How can we claim to be his children and not be merciful? How can we call for retribution…