I was nearly 50 years old before I learned the positive definition of mercy in Peter Wagner’s book on spiritual gifts. Let me illustrate it.
Long ago a poor woman from the slums of London was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at the ocean. She had never seen the ocean. When she did see it, she burst into tears. Those around her thought it strange that she should cry when such a lovely holiday had been given to her.
“Why in the world are you crying?” they asked. Pointing to the ocean she answered, “This is the only thing I have ever seen that there was enough of.” Mercy reaches out to provide something that the recipient does not have and cannot get for herself. God has oceans of mercy. He wants us to deliver the supply.
Cervantes said, “Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliance than justice.