Lord's Day Devotion - Promise of Compassion

 Promises, promises, promises...if only all could be kept!  There is Someone who does keep all He promises though and here's one of them...

"The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made" (Psalm 145:9 NIV).

The Lord's promise here is His compassion without discrimination.  His goodness goes out to all and sundry.  This is His goodness that can be felt and make a difference.

Our God is an awesome God; as the songwriter wrote.  When we get to the New Testament we still see that what psalmist David wrote about the Lord's compassion still held true.  Jesus had compassion on the crowds He saw.  The crowds had been with Him for three days and were hungry.  So He fed them in abundance (see Matthew 15:32).

When Jesus saw the widow woman, He had compassion on her and told her, "Don't cry".  Then He raised her only son from the dead right there in the middle of the funeral procession (see Luke 7:13-5)!  Imagine the roller-coaster of emotions that must have evoked.

Another time He saw crowds and felt compassion for them 

"because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

Today, Jesus' compassion extends to us too.  He died on the cross to gain atonement for our souls, to buy our pardon with His own blood.  Now we have so great a salvation we should not ignore.

He didn't just pity and have sympathy.  No.  He had compassion, first for our salvation and then for our everyday living that reaches our hurts and wounds of life.  He says He'll give rest to all who are weary and heavy laden, to those who come to Him (see Matthew 11:28).

This is our right and privilege and we can come to Him in confidence and expectation because He is faithful to all His promises in His everlastiing, unshakeable kingdom (see Psalm 145:13-14).  This is compassion in action - His coming to seek and to save that which was lost (see Luke 19:10).

He sought and found us.

In heartfelt gratitude, let each of us ponder this Lord's Day on Jesus' promise of compassion and the action He undertook on our behalf to redeem us.  Think upon it as you partake of the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine, passing them to each other.  Then give Him your thanks.

Abba Father, thank You for Your faithfulness, compassion and mercy. Without them we would be truly lost.  In this life now in Your family we continue to need them and You and to rely upon Your promises.  Thank You for sending Jesus' who showed this compassion in practical, astounding ways.  Work still among us, Father.  In Jesus' precious name we give You our thanks and praise.  Amen.

                                                  ~ERC  December 2023~

Based on Psalm 145:9 NIV.

Sing, Psalm 145 - I Will Praise Your Name For Ever, My King and My God, along with Francesca LaRosa.