Isaac Boluwatise

Mercy in Action

November 21st, 2024

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7

Mercy transcends feelings, manifesting as actions that embody God’s limitless love. Jesus commands His followers to be merciful as the Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). Mercy invites believers to view others as God does—deserving of grace, forgiveness, and compassion.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) illustrates mercy vividly. The Samaritan interrupted his journey to care for a wounded stranger. He cleaned wounds, provided shelter, and ensured continued care. His mercy cost time and resources, yet it demonstrated love’s capacity to heal. Mercy, as shown here, steps into the suffering of others to bring relief.

Jesus exemplified mercy throughout His ministry. When the woman caught in adultery was thrust before Him, He balanced justice with compassion (John 8:1–11). He forgave her, restored her dignity, and offered her a new path. Mercy, as Jesus showed, overcomes judgment and fosters restoration.

Mercy also transforms those who extend it. Forgiving, serving, and caring for others mirrors God’s character and deepens our understanding of His grace. Mercy calls believers to set aside pride, reject vengeance, and affirm the divine image in every individual.

Ask yourself today: Where is God inviting you to extend mercy? Mercy involves forgiving a difficult hurt, assisting someone in need, or offering a listening ear to a lonely soul. Though small in appearance, mercy carries transformative power. Its ripple effects heal wounds and glorify God.

Lord, teach me to mirror Your mercy in all my actions. Empower me to show Your compassion and grace in the lives of those around me. Today, I commit to choosing mercy and offering forgiveness, kindness, or support wherever it is needed most.

Further Reading: In Psalm 103:8–13, God’s character is revealed as compassionate and abounding in steadfast love. It extends mercy and forgiveness beyond what we deserve. In Micah 6:8, God’s expectations are clear. We should act justly. We should love mercy. We should walk humbly with Him. This is a practical guide for aligning our lives with His values. Finally, explore James 2:13, which emphasizes the triumph of mercy over judgment. This verse reminds us to extend the same grace and compassion that we have received from God.
Justice as God’s Truth Lived Out

November 20th, 2024

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the needy.” — Proverbs 31:8

Justice forms a cornerstone of God’s unchanging character. It threads intricately through His design for humanity. Proverbs 31:8 commands believers to become advocates for the voiceless and defenders of the powerless. Justice, however, transcends fairness within courtrooms. It calls for embodying God’s truth in the midst of a fractured world.

Jesus boldly modelled this truth. He healed the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1–6). This act exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They valued rigid traditions more than human need. Jesus challenged this mindset, prioritizing the suffering of individuals over strict legal interpretations. Justice, as Jesus demonstrated, is profoundly relational. It seeks the flourishing of others, even at great personal cost.

Justice is not always a grand or public act. It weaves itself into everyday choices—how we treat others and the principles we champion. Justice emerges when we speak against unfairness, resist turning away from inequity, and affirm the intrinsic worth of every individual. It sees God’s image in each person and fights to preserve dignity and respect.

Consider the story of Esther. She risked her life to protect her people. She used her unique position to seek justice for those without recourse (Esther 4:14). Similarly, God places each of us in situations where our voices carry influence.

Acting justly demands courage, as it often defies societal norms. It involves confronting wrongdoing, standing alone, or sacrificing comfort. Yet, God equips and strengthens those who embrace this calling. When we align with His heart for justice, He promises His presence and power.

Today, ask yourself where God is urging you to act justly. This involves simple acts of fairness in your workplace or larger efforts toward systemic change. Living out justice manifests God’s Kingdom and delivers hope to the hurting.

Father, fill me with boldness to live out Your justice. Help me defend the vulnerable and advocate for the overlooked. Today, I will seek one opportunity to stand for justice and reflect Your truth.
Further Reading: Isaiah 58:6–7; Luke 10:25–37; Micah 6:8
Be God’s Hands and Feet

November 19th, 2024

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” — Isaiah 1:17

Faith calls us to act beyond mere assent and engage with the world in tangible measures. Isaiah 1:17 challenges us to do more than professing devotion. It demands from us transformative action. In Isaiah’s time, God’s people excelled in rituals while failing to care for the vulnerable. Their abundant sacrifices lacked the justice, mercy, and humility that define genuine worship.

Jesus exemplified this active faith during His ministry. He did not limit Himself to teaching only in the synagogues. He promenaded the cities and villages to immerse Himself in the lives of those with needs. He healed the sick and delivered those oppressed by the devil. He did not grandstand for the oppressed as a showy activist; He stood with them. He responded to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11), blending justice with mercy. He upheld the true intent of God’s law and yet offered compassion. He restored the dignity of the adulterous woman and confronted her accusers with truth.

We must align our actions with God’s mission. It is known as misio Dei in theological parlance. This alignment helps us become His hands and feet. Look around. Who in your community needs an advocate or a helping hand? Justice that God calls for transcends legal systems. It manifests in simple acts of courage and fairness. It means defending a colleague, mentoring a child, or volunteering for a cause. Mercy, too, is not confined to dramatic gestures. It reveals itself in forgiving a friend, assisting a neighbour, or offering a listening ear to someone burdened.

This call to action can feel overwhelming. Yet, God is not looking for perfection but willingness. Small, faithful acts that we offer in His name would have a profound impact. Consider the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. Although he did not transform the world, his care for one individual reflected God’s heart (Luke 10:25–37).

Today, consider where God is inviting you to act. How can you embody His justice and mercy in your world? Faith expressed through action transforms lives and brings God’s Kingdom closer.

Ask the Lord to shape you into His hands and feet, ready to serve and show Your love. Pray that He will open your eyes to opportunities to pursue justice and extend mercy. Take one concrete step today to meet a tangible need around you, trusting God to guide your efforts. For further reading, consider Luke 4:18; Proverbs 31:8–9; Matthew 9:36
The Essence of True Worship

November 18th, 2024

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

The enduring question of what God desires from His people echoes through generations of faith. Micah 6:8 provides a concise yet profound response. It presents the essence of true worship through three foundational practices: justice, mercy, and humility. These are not abstract ideals but practical expressions of God’s nature in daily life.

Justice embodies God’s unwavering commitment to righteousness. It requires believers to defend the marginalized, confront injustice, and pursue fairness in all relationships. Jesus exemplified this divine standard in His dialogue with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7–26). His willingness to engage her transcended societal norms and dismantled cultural prejudices. In their exchange, Jesus revealed love as a conduit for truth. Justice extends beyond legal adherence, calling believers to reflect God’s integrity in every decision and action.

Mercy reveals the limitless compassion of God. It addresses suffering and bestows undeserved grace on those in need. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) vividly portrays this virtue. The Samaritan interrupted his journey, treated a stranger’s wounds, and demonstrated care that defied cultural divisions. Mercy demands visible actions that echo God’s care and uplift the dignity of others.

Humility is the foundation that supports both justice and mercy. It grounds believers in the sovereignty of God, acknowledging His supreme authority. Humility also redirects recognition for success and achievements back to God. Jesus exemplified this virtue when He knelt to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:12–15). Despite being their teacher and Lord, He took on the role of a servant. His humility highlighted God’s greatness, demonstrating obedience and servanthood in action.

Micah 6:8 serves as a timeless guide for authentic faith. It challenges superficial worship and calls believers to embody God’s values. Practicing justice, mercy, and humility confronts the world’s obsession with self-promotion and pride. Although these virtues may be countercultural, they reflect God’s transformative love and lead believers toward true discipleship.

Lord, guide me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Show me opportunities to reflect Your values in my daily interactions. Today, I commit to living a life aligned with Your heart and demonstrating Your love.
Further Reading: John 13:12–15; Matthew 23:23; James 1:27
Agents of Transformation

November 17th, 2024

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
— Romans 12:21 (NIV)

As believers, we’re called to counter darkness with light, replacing negativity with God’s goodness. Paul’s words challenge us to do more than avoid evil; he calls us to conquer it with active goodness. Our kindness, patience, and forgiveness transform the world around us.

Think of a single candle casting light across a darkened room. Each act of love and grace disperses darkness, illuminating the lives of those we touch. When we respond to anger with peace, to bitterness with forgiveness, we embody the Kingdom’s values. Through small yet profound actions, we show God’s transforming power.

Being an agent of transformation is not passive. It requires a commitment to engage to bring hope, justice, and compassion to broken places. Each interaction becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love. In a world that often retaliates, we offer grace. Where others accuse, we listen and extend understanding.

Our lives are intended to disrupt the ordinary with divine love. As agents of change, we bring a taste of God’s Kingdom to those around us. No matter how small, every act of goodness testifies to the light of Christ within us.

Imagine the impact of a community committed to this calling. Together, we become a powerful force for God’s Kingdom, overcoming evil by steadfastly doing good.

Pray for strength to be an agent of transformation, overcoming evil with good. Identify one small way to bring light to situations around you, and take action today. Let Micah 6:8 and Ephesians 2:10 inspire you to embody God’s love in your community.