Tag: mercy

Walking in Mercy: Living Out Micah 6:8

This lesson was inspired by Rev. Herlong’s Sunday message from Micah 6:8, specifically focusing on mercy.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

Micah 6:8 is one of those verses that cuts through all the noise and gets right to the heart of something important God desires from us. It’s not a list of religious checkboxes—it’s a call to live a life that reflects His character. And today, we will zero in on that second part: to love mercy.

What Does It Mean to Love Mercy?

It’s one thing to show mercy when it’s required, but to love mercy? That’s different. That means mercy isn’t just something we give reluctantly—it’s something we cherish, value, and actively pursue. It’s a mindset shift from “I guess I have to forgive” to “I get to extend grace because I have received it.”

Mercy means not giving someone the punishment they might deserve. It’s when we choose to release anger instead of holding a grudge, to respond with kindness instead of payback, to see others through the lens of grace instead of judgment.

God’s Mercy Toward Us

Before we can love mercy, we need to recognize how deeply we’ve received it. God’s mercy is woven all throughout Scripture. Over and over, He withholds the judgment we deserve, offering us grace instead.

  • “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)
  • “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22)

Think about your own life—how many times has God shown you mercy? How many times has He given you another chance when you didn’t deserve it? That’s the kind of mercy we’re called to love and extend to others.

Living It Out Daily

So how do we love mercy in everyday life?

  1. Forgive quickly. Holding onto bitterness only weighs you down. When we love mercy, we let go of offenses instead of keeping score.
  2. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that rude cashier is struggling with something heavy. Maybe your coworker’s attitude comes from a place of deep hurt. Mercy chooses to see others with compassion.
  3. Be generous with grace. Mercy isn’t just about forgiving sins—it’s also about extending kindness, patience, and understanding even when it’s undeserved.
  4. Remember your own need for mercy. It’s easier to show mercy when we remember how much we’ve received from God.

The Challenge

Micah 6:8 isn’t just a nice verse—it’s a way of life. Loving mercy means actively looking for ways to reflect God’s heart in how we treat others. It’s not always easy, but when we choose mercy, we reflect the character of God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Can you think of a time when God showed you mercy? How did that impact you?
  2. Why do you think God calls us to love mercy instead of just practice it occasionally?
  3. How does remembering God’s mercy toward us help us extend it to others?
  4. How would our communities, workplaces, and families change if we truly loved mercy?

New Year, New Mercies: Finding Hope in 2025

As we step into the new year, the promise of a fresh start often fills our hearts with hope. There’s something about flipping the calendar to January that makes us feel like anything is possible—like the mistakes, challenges, and burdens of the past year can be left behind. But while the new year can feel like a clean slate, we often find ourselves carrying some of the same struggles into January.

This is where God’s mercies shine. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Every day—not just January 1st—is a chance to experience the renewal God offers. His mercies are new every morning, meaning we don’t have to wait for a new year to start fresh. The beauty of God’s grace is that it’s available to us all the time, no matter where we are in life or what we’ve been through.

As we dive into 2025, maybe you’ve set some goals or resolutions, which is great. But if you haven’t already done so, set an intention on what matters most: growing in our relationship with Christ. Instead of chasing perfection, focus on progress. Instead of striving for control, trust in God’s plans.

Encouragement for the Journey

2025 will bring its share of joys and challenges, but we don’t have to face any of it alone. God walks with us every step of the way. Let’s commit to encouraging one another, lifting each other up, and pointing each other to Christ as we navigate this new year together.

Remember, it’s not about having a “perfect” year; it’s about leaning into God’s perfect love and faithfulness. Let’s step into 2025 with courage and hope, knowing that His mercies are always new—and always enough.

Happy New Year!

Here are some questions to reflect on as you step into the new year.

  • What’s one thing you’re grateful for as you look back on 2024?
  • What’s an area of your life where you feel God inviting you to grow this year?
  • What’s one way you can remind yourself of God’s new mercies each day?
  • How can you prioritize building deeper relationships with others in your faith community in 2025?