Act on Compassion

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan (Matthew 15: 32-39).

Compassion is defined as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” God feels that for his people as shown over and over again in the Bible. The interesting thing is that there is usually a miracle that follows. Sometimes those miracles are done through his people. How would people know that God has compassion on them unless we feel that compassion and express it? Do we have a strong desire to alleviate suffering? How have we shown it and acted upon it? To say it is not enough.

God acts on his compassion. He calls his people to action. What if we say no like Jonah did? Sometimes we don’t understand God’s compassion for it doesn’t fit our human experience of compassion. God says that he will have compassion on who he will have compassion. No explanation needed. We just need to respond to his call.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for your great compassion on us and pray that I can express that same compassion to others. I want to act on that compassion to give you glory. Direct me to the people who need to know that God loves them and has compassion on them. Amen

Faith Tip: Ask for eyes to see where compassion is needed and then act on it as directed by God.

Written by Kathy Bruins