We’ve all been there; continually fighting against an unhealthy behavior that won’t go away. Of course, there are a myriad of reasons we stay defeated, but there’s one important step we can take that will help change defeat into victory – we can cultivate mercy.
Sow Mercy, Reap Mercy
Cultivating mercy is not a new concept. Jesus, in his Beatitude list, made it clear that we’ll be blessed if we do. Here’s Matthew 5:7:
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Jesus shows us that mercy can be sown and reaped. Just as a farmer plants and harvests corn, we can plant and harvest mercy. The harvest we receive will help to deliver us from any bondage we are struggling with.
Mercy Sets Us Free
Mercy is a powerful force. It works to set us free even when our situation seems hopeless. When the prophet Nathan came to David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, David wrote about the power of mercy in Psalm 51. Here’s a couple of verses from that Psalm:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalms 51:1-2
David had committed a serious sin. To deal with the consequences he asked God to “cleanse me”. Too often, believers regard cleansing from sin as the removal of the penalty, and that’s true; but when God cleanses us from sin, he does more than remove the penalty, he works to cleanse us from the practice as well.
In Psalm 41 David shows us the full process of sowing and reaping mercy. He starts by saying those who help the weak (show mercy) will be blessed. He then lists the blessing the merciful can expect. Here are the first four verses of that Psalm:
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. The LORD protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
Psalms 41:1-4
Notice the list of benefits here. The merciful can expect (1) protection, (2) deliverance from enemies, (3) restoration from sickness, (4) and mercy (healing) for sins. Check out that last benefit; we can expect God to heal us from the power of sin.
Have a Farmer’s Strategy
If we want to enjoy the benefits of mercy, it would be wise to develop a strategy for sowing and reaping it. This is where we can learn from farmers. When a farmer cultivates a crop, he first prepares the ground, then plants the seed, and for the next few months, manages the crop; finally, he harvests it. We can follow the same steps in regard to mercy.
Step One – Prepare the Ground
Just as a farmer must prepare the ground for seed, we must prepare ourselves to cultivate mercy by becoming mercy minded. It’s an attitude. It begins in our hearts when we realize God has been merciful to us. Mercy mindfulness will prepare us to be mercy farmers.
Step Two – Sow Seed
Look for opportunities to sow. When we consider other’s needs and work to help them, then we set ourselves up to receive a harvest of help. A couple of good places to sow mercy are at home and at church. Both of these areas are good ground in which to plant.
Step Three – Manage the Ground
Weeds are one of a farmer’s biggest enemies. They can choke out a crop and diminish the harvest. There are also spiritual weeds that hinder the growth of mercy in our lives. One of these weeds is a judgmental attitude. This attitude is opposite of a merciful one. Mercy sees another’s failings and has compassion; judgment sees another’s failings and condemns. A judgmental attitude will stop God’s mercy from working in our lives. In other words, when we sow judgment, we reap judgment (the opposite of mercy). Here’s Jesus’ warning against being judgmental:
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37
Step Four – Claim Your Harvest
Finally, don’t be afraid to claim your harvest! When the blind man of Jericho heard that Jesus was coming his way (see Luke 18:35-41) he began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Some in the crowd following Jesus tried to stop him, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” This guy wouldn’t give up. He saw his chance to receive what he needed and wouldn’t settle for anything else. When Jesus approached, he didn’t become shy but boldly proclaimed his need; he wanted to see. Because he was persistent, he got what he desired.
Go Ahead! Be a Mercy Farmer
God wants to show you his mercy. All you have to do is follow his plan. You’ll find that mercy will change your life as you become a mercy farmer.
Adapted from the Book:
Enemies of God In Our Minds
Copyright © 2021 Curtis A. Guyer All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
*All scripture quotes, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Biblica®, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.