Compassionate God

Our God is unbelievably kind and compassionate! King David wrote, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103 8-12

I am always moved by the compassion of God when I contemplate the story of the widow whose son had died. This woman’s son was her future. As a widow, she knew that her son was the only way she would be taken care of as she got older and was therefore overwhelmed with despair. She was traveling with a large crowd on the way to bury her dearly loved and most needed son when Jesus spotted her. Look at how he handled this tragic situation.

Luke 7:13-16 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her, and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (NIV)

When Jesus saw her, his heart went out to her! How beautiful! I can only imagine how this widow must have felt. I’m sure she was utterly blown away and blessed beyond words by the compassion and power of God displayed on her behalf. I can imagine her weeping with joy and falling in worship at the feet of Jesus. I can see Jesus lifting her, hugging her, and reassuring her that everything was going to be all right.

This story reminds me of what Jesus said in John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  (NLT)

Just as Jesus cared for this woman, you can be assured that God cares about you! He is so concerned about you and your future that he sent his only son to die on your behalf. It is not a small, select group of special people that God’s compassion reaches out to– he loves the whole world, and that includes you and me! Hallelujah! You and I are beloved; we are family; we are everything God has ever wanted!

Do you know how precious you are to Him? Do you know that he deeply cares about you and your situation? Genuinely believing this truth is a game changer! Why? It is because faith is what taps you into God’s life-giving power. Yes, great blessing comes to those who will trust God enough to cast their cares upon him. Apostle Peter declared, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Trusting in self produces worry, whereas trusting in God brings peace. Difficult or even tragic situations in life reveal where our hope and faith are anchored. Knowing how deeply God loves you changes how you react during difficult situations. I love what apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church; he said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” 2 Cor 1:3

Are you confident that the God we serve is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort? Today is your day to choose to set your mind on what God says about you! He is deeply in love with you and will never let you down! He is never going to leave you or forsake you! Hebrews 13:5 Even before you ask, he knows what you need. Matthew 6:8 Will you let go and put the full weight of your trust in his watchful care over you today? I pray that you will meditate on the compassion of Jesus towards the widow woman in our narrative today. I pray that you will rest in the fact that God sees you and cares about what you are going through. Yes, he knows, he cares, and he is there with you right now! Would you take a moment to recognize his presence? Will you choose to trust him? I want to assure you that you can let go because your God is indeed a… 

Compassionate God