HOPE IN GOD’S COMPASSION

“But You, O Lord, are A GOD FULL of COMPASSION, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” – Psalm 86:15

Along with God’s Mercies and Faithfulness, the Believer’s Faith is sustained by HOPE IN GOD’S COMPASSION: ““But You, O Lord, are A GOD FULL of COMPASSION, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psa.86:15). God is FULL of COMPASSION. His Compassion refers to His tender care or unfailing love. The word “compassion” comes from a Hebrew term related to the word for “stork “or “womb,” suggesting a mother’s love! Compassion is a word that requires action. Compassion is LOVE in ACTION. It is more than pity or sympathy. Whenever Jesus was “moved with compassion,” He healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out demons, and taught and preached life-transforming and destiny-defining truths:

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, TEACHING in their synagogues, PREACHING the gospel of the kingdom, and HEALING every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was MOVED WITH COMPASSION for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Mt.9:35-36).

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was MOVED WITH COMPASSION for them, and HEALED their sick” (Mt.14:14).

“Then Jesus, MOVED WITH COMPASSION, stretched out His hand and TOUCHED him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Mk.1:41).

“And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was MOVED WITH COMPASSION for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things…So they all ate and were filled” (Mk.6:34, 42).

Jeremiah in Lamentations 3: 22-23, noted two key features of God’s compassions: “They fail not”; and “They are new every morning”! God never fails to be compassionate. His judgment never comes until every means of grace has been exhausted. It is like facing a judge who loves a defendant so much he looks for some loophole or any reason to free him.

God demonstrates His love for us each new day. Every morning we have fresh instances of His mercies. He gives us the breath we need to live; the sunshine and rain for sustenance and growth; health, wellness, skills, and livelihoods; splendid sunrises and sunsets across the sky for our delight. God smiles upon us each day with more blessings than we can possibly think of or imagine. Each day is a gift from our kind, caring Father.  Like a parent tenderly loving their child, God “daily loads us with benefits” (Psa.68:19). He smiles upon us with such love that no earthly parent could ever give to their children. 

There might have been instances when we felt like there would be no tomorrow or that life is as bad as it can get. It could be a situation of financial need: too many bills to pay and not enough money, physical ailment, or emotional challenge that makes one feel as if life is just too weary to continue another day. However adverse the circumstance may be, we are encouraged to look up and find hope in God’s compassionate Heart. No matter how bad it may seem, God is still on the Throne and we can find Hope in His Compassion. His mercies never expire and His compassions cannot be exhausted!  

The proof of God’s love and compassion can be seen every time we look up at the sky and see the sun.  Even on a cloudy day, we still know that the sun came up in the morning. Therefore, we are reminded that daily, God has new mercies and compassion for us. Every morning when the sun comes up, we wake up to fresh compassion from our loving Father. He loves us so much He doesn’t want us to tell old stale stories. Each day has its own unique trials and difficulties, but also, its distinct testimonies! Our Father knows that, so He gives us fresh mercies and compassion, tailor-made for each day.

In the Fullness of His Compassion, God will help and comfort us, and show us “a sign for good”! (Psa.86:17).