'Who Is God: Compassionate'
In Hebrew, “compassion” comes from the same root as “womb”. It connotes the tender love, affection, protection, and self-sacrifice of a mother for her child. It applies to people generally about someone, male or female, who cares deeply for another person who is weaker, less developed, or more dependent. This tender love, protectiveness, and self-sacrifice motivates a person to act. Compassion describes God to a T. He tenderly cared for Adam and Eve after they sinned. He chose Abraham and his descendants to bless them even in their frailty, sin, and rebellion. Ultimately, we see how God had such compassion for the world that He sent His Son Jesus. He did this not to condemn the world, but to save it through Jesus.
Paul puts God’s compassion like this: “Because of God’s great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Eph 2:4-5) Throughout my ministry, I have heard people say things like, “God could never forgive me” or “What I’ve done is so bad that I can’t go back to God.” Those who say such things haven’t yet grasped the compassion of God. Isaiah (49:15) wrote these wonderful words when the Israelites said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” What a beautiful picture of God tender love that will never let us go. God will neither leave you nor forsake you.
We see the same compassion in Matt 23:37. Jesus looked out upon Jerusalem as He was entering for the last time and said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” All you have to do is turn to Jesus who desires to gather you in the protection of His presence. Nothing can separate you from the loving compassion of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do you feel separated from God? Remember that God sent His Son into the world for you, Eph. 2:4-5. Do you feel battered by this world? Remember that Jesus has great compassion for you and wants to draw you into His protection and strength, Matt 23:37. God is a compassionate God who sent His compassionate Son to forgive your sins, draw you into His life, and protect you from the chaos of life.
Blessings,
Jonathan