The following definition of “˜Blessed”™ is a paraphrase of the Amplified Bible”™s definition of “˜Blessed”™:

To be blessed by God is to experience and to know the deep down happiness which is enviable ““ to be rich spiritually with true, living joy. To be rich spiritually is to be satisfied in having God”™s favor because of possessing His gift of salvation. Your outward circumstances, and mine, are not the determining factor of being the recipients of His blessing of favor and salvation. The determining factor is God”™s riches that He lavishes on those who have received His Son as Savior. That is His blessing beyond compare”¦do you have God”™s rich blessings in your life?

(NASB) Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Why should I be merciful toward others? Others have hurt me or have been unkind, unthinking and rude toward me”¦why should I be merciful to them?!!! I am strong and there is no love lost between me and those I do not like! Isn”™t this how the world views people who are against them, no mercy and no quarter given?

What does God”™s word say about His mercy which He extends to those who turn to Him?

Consider His benefits as the Psalmist expressed it in Psalm 103:1-5

(NASB) 1 BLESS THE Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;

3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle”™s.”

God”™s attributes in the following verse is for each person who comes to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ:

(Amplified Bible) Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.”

Do you personally know of God”™s mercy in your life? Have you received His grace? Do you recognize that He is slow to anger and that He has plenty of mercy and loving-kindness for you?

How can you and I not be merciful toward others when God has given and shown us mercy”¦not once but many times over?