Compassion

Like all of you, I hear about people who are going through really terrible things in their life. Sometimes it is really hard to think about those situations, they seem too terrible to even think about, much less live through. But of course, God's word is full of comfort (and hope) that applies to everything we struggle with here on earth, even the really really awful and terrible things. But even more than that, God tells us that he has a heart of compassion for our struggles.

Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with out weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

I have always seen that verse from the perspective that Jesus was tempted but He never sinned. Well that is true, but I think that misses something that is even greater about this verse. Notice that Jesus can "sympathize with our weaknesses." That means that He has compassion on us. Not anger, or coldness toward our weaknesses, but real compassion. He doesn't have an attitude of condemnation, He is not out to "get us" for our sins. But in His great love He has compassion for whatever we are going through. Even the really awful, terribly terrible things. Even the weakness that we have struggled with for what seems like forever. Even the one we don't want to talk about. And yes, even the one that everyone knows about and is talking about (maybe behind our back, but hopefully not!)

One thing that God has been working on in my life is a heart of compassion, so lately I am predisposed to see God's compassion for us all over the place. But I think it is because it is really there. So, whether you need compassion in the form of comfort and mercy, or you need compassion because you are struggling with sin, remember that God has it for you. More than you could imagine, and plenty enough to cover your need for it.

And to close, here is one of my favorite verses of all time:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His pupose."