“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.”
Psalm 145:8-9 NLT
When it comes to speaking of the goodness of God, I must first experience something of the characteristics of God. We learn the character of God by looking at Jesus, God’s self-revelation in human and divine form. Jesus revealed God’s compassion for humanity (Matthew 9:36). He experienced the very real sorrow, sadness and distress of the vast sea of humanity that surrounded him throughout his ministry.
What is the purpose of compassion? I may feel pity and empathise with a fellow human in my street or across the world courtesy of my TV, yet what difference does my emotion make? Very little, if any, in most instances. However, it can prevent my heart from growing cold and distancing itself from all needs save my own.
Compassion is the touchstone on which kingdom values find expression through my actions. When joined with the actions of others equally moved through compassion, we have the raw material to change the nature of the social, economic and cultural context within which life is expressed.
Nothing can be more abhorrent in light of God’s goodness than to sit back and observe the passing of each day with little or no engagement in the good as well as the harsh realities of life in the earth.
QUESTION
How has compassion shaped your view of yourself and the world around you?
PRAYER
Lord, fill me with compassion and a desire to also do good to all that you have made.
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