Ps 18:25 Detectives gather evidence by searching for clues.  The student of the Word is to do the same.  Jesus drew from the psalms to teach his disciples the principle that how men treat others is how God will treat them.  For example, the Psalmist reveals a clue about God’s mercy: Ps 18:25 ESV With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.  In Jesus’ often quoted Sermon on the Mount, he quoted this principle as part of the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.”

Merciful is being compassionate, and mercy is helping the afflicted. In Luke 10:29-36 is an example of how this principle was lived out in living color. An injured man in need of compassion was left without help. It was not the priest or the Levite who passed by, but a “hated” Samaritan who came and offered help. Jesus used this to teach the principle of how we respond is how God will respond to us.

Where has God shown His compassion to you, and where are you demonstrating mercy to the afflicted? 

Remember: God treats us in the same way we treat others.