A few days ago, while at a ladies’ meeting at our church, a dear friend got word that her sister was close to death. The tenderness, concern, and affection given to her were sweet to see. Several ladies prayed aloud for her in her sorrow. Others cried with her, hugged her, and expressed their sympathy.

From beginning to end, the Bible is filled with stories of compassion. God’s mercy and love are evident on every page. From creation when God had pity on lonely Adam, to rescuing his people from slavery, God’s heart is tender toward his people.

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them…” Exodus 3:7-8

God saw, heard, and was concerned about their suffering so he helped them. He asks us to do the same. We should notice and listen to those in pain and be concerned enough to do something, even a small thing to help them. Compassion takes action. We all want to be seen and heard and never more so than when we’re hurting. We can help the suffering ones by truly seeing their pain and listening to their stories with concern and a desire to do something to alleviate their pain. Avoiding someone in pain, or being a poor listener shows a lack of Godlike compassion. We’re forgetting that someday we will need a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold. Often, we can’t fix the problem, but there may be a small thing we can do to show our love. I read an insightful article lately that suggested we ask (my paraphrase) those who are hurting, “What small thing could I do for you today to make it a little better?” Sometimes, we just say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” That can sound polite but insincere. Asking if there’s a small thing you could do today might help them feel more comfortable mentioning something they need. Last week I wanted to cheer up a friend whose home was extensively damaged by water. I asked her if she’d like to get out of the house while workers tore their roof off. I gave her the option of going thrifting with me or coming to my house for muffins and tea. Offering just small, specific things made it easier for her to accept an offer.

I’ve experienced God’s compassion through his people, too. When dear Husband was ill, being visited lifted our spirits. Just knowing that others cared was a great comfort. Meals, calls, and visits all reminded us that we were not forgotten.

God never fails to show compassion even when we mess up.  (Sometimes, God’s compassion meant allowing consequences so his people would correct course and return to him.). He is our model to follow. We’ve all done stupid and even hurtful things. What a relief when we receive mercy and love instead of anger and retribution! BTW, mercy and love are definitions of compassion. That is what we’re called on to give. This isn’t to say we renew relationships with those who are habitually hurtful. We must pity them, forgive them, and put enough distance between us that they can’t continue to hurt us. David got away from King Saul when Saul repeatedly apologized and yet still tried to kill him. But he didn’t seek revenge even when he had the perfect opportunity.

“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,  even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, ..”
Because of your great compassion, you did not abandon them in the wilderness.  For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. You gave them kingdoms and nations. . . But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time… But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” Nehemiah 9:17-18, 19,21-22,28,31

Because they had experienced God’s compassion, Old Testament heroes showed compassion to others. I’m thinking of these among many:
Joseph showed compassion for his brothers when they desperately needed food even though they had cruelly sold him into slavery.

Noah had compassion for those about to perish so he preached a call to righteousness hoping they would repent and be saved from the impending flood.
Jonathan had great compassion for David who was persecuted by his father and did everything he could to keep David safe and encourage him.
David had compassion for crippled Mephibosheth and provided all he needed although Mephibosheth could never repay him.
Elijah, lead by God, cared for the widow of Zarephath, a citizen of an enemy nation. He was God’s instrument to feed her and her son during a famine. He also pleaded with God to bring the child back to life after he died and God heard.
Elisha had great sympathy for the Shunamite woman who was childless and he prayed for a son for her. Later when the child died, God restored him in answer to Elisha’s prayer.

In the New Testament, God showed his compassion through Jesus. Jesus noticed the hurting. He pitied them, and he helped them -body, mind, and soul. He mercifully healed the bodies of many. He patiently taught so the people could understand God. By his atoning death, he saved our souls.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:35-36

We are commanded to be compassionate like God:

We notice the pain of others
We listen to them
We are concerned about their suffering
We do what we can to help

“Carry each other’s burdens (heavy loads, difficulties, weight) and so fulfill the Law of Christ [love each other]”. Galatians 6:2

Compassion takes action!

 

FYI-  these images generated by Ai still need my human help.  A lot of hand editing work goes into each image besides finding sample images for the Ai to work from.