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David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet he sinned. He coveted and slept with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, had Uriah killed, and took Bathsheba as his own. Where does any of this show that he was a man after God’s own heart? In Psalm 51 David’s heart is revealed. He repents of his sin and asks for restoration. God, in His mercy and compassion, restores David. That same mercy and compassion are available to us. Just like David, we need only ask.
Psalm 51:1-14
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How many women suffer because they can't bear children? This story is one of God being gracious to Hannah. Why? Hannah poured out her heart in prayer and committed her future child to God. God saw and brought the compassion of grace in the form of a child to a person in pain and sorrow. God had compassion on Hannah and blessed her not with just one child but many. He sees our pain and feels compassion toward us. Trust in His compassion today.
1 Samuel 1:8-21 & 2:21 The early church was willing to work to spread the gospel, doing whatever to help the cause. In this case Epaphroditus was ill, almost dying in his service of Christ. That’s all the information we’re given, but it’s enough to know that Epaphroditus was dedicated and committed. Where’s your level of commitment and dedication to Christ? Are you involved in areas of service for Christ? If not, perhaps you should pray about finding your fit in the body.
Philippians 2:25-30 Need a model for compassion in your life? Look to Christ. In humility and compassion He poured out his life for others. We are instructed to put others before our own interests. Show compassion. Be humble. There’s a reason for this instruction and that is to win the lost. When we treat others in this way, seekers notice a difference in us. Most eventually ask what makes us different. That is an opportunity needed to share about the Difference Maker.
Philippians 2:1-11 David, anointed by God to be the next king, honored King Saul, even though Saul sought to kill him. When Saul and his son Jonathon, David’s friend, were killed, David wept yet showed compassion to the house of Saul by taking Mephibosheth, Jonathon's crippled son, into his own household. David gave Mephibosheth a place of honor and restored what was lost. Don’t let the anger from past hurts mar your vision of those around you. Show the same compassion to them that David showed to Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 9:1-13 Have you ever had an unexpected kindness done to you? Our first inclination is to tell others about it. You’re excited and want others to share in that excitement. We should have the same excitement about God, praising and thanking Him for all the good He’s done for us. This verse says that God's goodness, kindness, and grace are the result of His compassion. Believe it! Without His compassion, where would we be? Tell someone today about what God has done in your life.
Isaiah 63:7-9 When in deep sorrow, could you imagine God coming up to you to ask why you are crying? In this way He chose to tell the world He was alive and resurrected from the dead. Mary was part of a family whom Jesus deeply loved. Because of the closeness, Mary felt despondent when Jesus died. Our God of compassion met Mary and revealed Himself to her, relieving her of her grief. This is our compassionate Savior; loving us and thinking of our human fragility.
John 20:14-17 Some people show compassion through their service. Joseph of Arimathea is this type of compassionate servant. He takes the lifeless body of Jesus, removing the gruesome flesh from the ropes and nails, and cleans and embalms the body according to a written set of Jewish burial instructions. In a time of sorrow and uncertainty, when most others were hiding in fear, this man attends to his Savior with deep compassion through his service. What unglamorous acts of compassion are waiting for you and me?
John 19:38-42 Suffering challenges our compassion. While on the cross, Jesus, barely clinging to physical life, notices an opportunity to help someone else–his own mother. He no doubt senses her horror and pain as she watches her son slowly die. Jesus tells John to take care of her. In the midst of tremendous physical and emotional distress, Jesus showed compassion. Despite the circumstances going on in your life, look for ways to show compassion to others today.
John 19:25-27 Jesus set a high standard for compassion. In this passage He declares the full extent of His love is to serve others. The disciples were baffled. Jesus was preparing the disciples and us for the age of the church, when we literally are His body, the church of the living God. By serving one another we are blessed and we are showing the unbelieving world the compassion of Christ. Be like Christ. Be blessed. Exude His compassion. Serve someone.
John 13:1-15 |
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