Man's inhumanity to man reddens the pages of history. Outside of Christianity the world knows nothing of pitying and helpful mercy. In no heathen country will you find compassion for the unfortunate and the afflicted; no such public institutions of mercy as the numerous hospitals, asylums for the aged, the poor and the blind, and other homes of refuge as we have in our Christian countries.

It is true, we often read of rich Jews and millionaire infidels bequeathing large sums for charitable purposes; but they are not moved by the merciful Spirit of Christ. The unconverted mortal knows nothing of true pity, especially in dealing with his enemies. His maxim in life is: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

It is only in Christ's humble followers that we find this disposition to be merciful toward all men, be they friend or foe. Having Christ's merciful Spirit in them by faith, they have at the same time a merciful heart, which pities their afflicted fellow men. They have merciful eyes, which are quick to see human sorrow and distress. They have merciful tongues, ever ready to comfort and, above all, to defend their slandered or unjustly criticized neighbors. And they have merciful hands, filled with charitable and helpful deeds.

Though Christians know Christ's promised blessing, they are no mercenary hirelings, who do good solely for the sake of reaping a reward. They know they have been paid in advance and paid in full over and over again by the undeserved mercy which God has shown them, and daily shows them, in Christ, their blessed Savior. So they show mercy for mercy's sake and never ask: "What shall we get for it?" May we all prove to be such merciful Christians in thought, word, and deed today and as long as we live!

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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