Meekness and Mercy: What Our Nation Needs Right Now
I am currently preaching through the Sermon on the Mount, and as I studied the Beatitudes, two words stood out to me in a fresh way—meekness and mercy. I could not help but think how much better off our nation would be if we all embraced these two characteristics.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, ESV)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7, ESV)
These are not just nice words. They are kingdom traits that cut against the grain of our culture.
What is meekness?
Meekness is having a proper view of myself as someone who needs mercy. It is not weakness or passivity. Scripture consistently ties meekness to humility before God:
“The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (Psalm 37:11)
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Jesus Himself modeled meekness. He had all authority and perfect knowledge, yet He used His strength to serve, not to crush. If the One who had everything right chose meekness, how much more should we, knowing we do not have it all figured out?
Meekness is strength under God’s control, a posture that admits I do not have it all right and continually points me back to His wisdom. It shapes how I approach others—making it possible to have calm, respectful conversations even when we see things differently. Meekness keeps me from needing to win every debate and instead helps me value the person in front of me. At the same time, meekness does not mean avoiding hard conversations or refusing to stand for truth. Jesus was both meek and bold, showing us that humility before God actually strengthens our witness to what is right.
What is mercy?
Mercy is showing compassion when judgment would be easier. It is not only withholding what someone deserves, but also offering kindness they could never earn. The Bible reminds us that God’s mercy is the reason we even have hope:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Mercy starts with God’s character and flows through us. I can show mercy to you because God has shown mercy to me. Mercy keeps me from labeling you as evil simply because we disagree. It helps me remember that differences do not make us enemies and that grace always goes further than condemnation. But mercy does not erase the reality of judgment or blur the lines between right and wrong. True mercy flows from God’s holiness, offering compassion while still pointing to His standard of truth.
Living it out
The call is really to let meekness and mercy shape how we live. They push us to be compassionate and empathetic, to give people the benefit of the doubt, to see past dogma that divides, to debate with passion but with civility, and to resist the lie that we have to be enemies because we disagree.
When we live with meekness and mercy, we not only reflect Christ’s character but also create space for genuine healing and understanding in a fractured world.
Why it matters now
Our nation is walking through yet another season of deep pain and polarization. When tragedy strikes, instead of grieving together, we often use it to widen the divide. Some voices respond with outrage, others with celebration, and the bitterness between sides grows deeper.
That is why we need meekness and mercy. Meekness would quiet the noise and remind us that none of us has the full picture. Mercy would slow our rush to condemn and create space for compassion, even when we disagree.
The Beatitudes were not given to describe some unattainable ideal. They were given as a picture of what life in God’s kingdom is meant to look like. If we truly want change in our culture, it will not start with louder voices or harsher punishments—it will start with people who embrace meekness and extend mercy.
Maybe it is time for us, as Christ’s followers, to lead the way.