Blessed. ( Ephesians 2 v 1 - 5 )

'Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy',  ( Matthew 5 v 7 ) God is merciful,the fact that mankind is still in existence is evident of His mercy. John Stott ,writes ,'Of course the world( at least when it is true to its own nature) is unmerciful, as indeed also the church in its worldliness has often been. The world prefers to insulate itself against the pains and calamities of men. It finds revenge delicious, and forgiveness, by comparison ,tame.'The Nazi's never showed mercy, and they reaped a dreadful price when the Russians invaded Germany.In Judges one we read of a king called     Adoni Bezek armies were defeated by Israel,and he was captured, they cut off his thumbs and big toes.That may have appeared cruel ,but then we read of him confessing how he captured  seventy kings,and had their toes and thumbs cut off. In the OT we have a wonderful story of David showing mercy to Saul's grandson,Saul who became Davids persecutor  (2 Samuel 9 )Let us who have received Mercy from God,remember to show mercy, and we will be blessed.Shakespeare wrote as regards mercy,' It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes'.