Read: Psalm 145

I will bless the Lord at
all times. -Psalm 34:1

According to William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, mercy
drops down like "gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath; it
is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

Shakespeare was right about the double blessing that mercy provides.
Our merciful deeds bless the person to whom we stretch out a hand of
loving-kindness. Not only that, we ourselves benefit when we act
mercifully. We experience our Lord’s promise: "Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt. 5:7).

But Shakespeare missed the third recipient of blessing – God! When
in our Savior’s name we practice christlike caring, God is praised. He
is honored when we show mercy.

As amazing as that may be, it is biblical truth. God is not without
emotion. What we do or fail to do affects Him. Our actions either bring
Him pleasure or grieve Him deeply. God delights in our adoring
recognition of His goodness, and He is saddened when we serve our own
selfish interests (Prov. 11:20; Heb 13:15-16).

The blessings of Christlike mercy flow not only from the giver to
the receiver and back again, but to the very heart of God. Acts of mercy
are acts of praise. Vernon C. Grounds

Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts
above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy
perfect love. -Wesley

GIVING OF OURSELVES TO OTHERS
GIVES JOY TO GOD.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1998 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand
Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.