Appeal to The God of Compassion - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 11, 2024
The term compassion refers to having concern, pity, or sympathy for someone or something. Sadly, it is in short supply in many communities around the world. For the children of God, though, compassion is waiting to envelop them.
This is because God is compassionate. We see His compassion at work in the story of Jonah and Nineveh. That kingdom was an enemy of the Jewish people. And so when the Lord sent Jonah - a Jew - there, he initially refused. God, in His patience and wisdom, pointed out to His servant in Jonah 4:11 - And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Just as God was unwilling to abandon Nineveh's population to their sin, His Son refused to allow satan to have the final say over the destiny of humanity. It was compassion that caused Him to agree to die for all people. Even before He died on the cross, Christ consistently displayed God's compassion.
In Matthew 14:14, He "saw a large crowd...had compassion on them and healed their sick." He didn't stop there, of course. In compassion for the heartbreak felt by Martha and Mary, we are told He wept over the loss of their brother, Lazarus (John 16:35). Then, He went on to display the glory and power of the Lord by bringing the dead man back to life (John 16:43-44).
We serve the God of compassion. He is the God who longs to pour out His compassion and will bless all who wait on Him per Isaiah 30:18 - Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Notice that those who wait upon Him are blessed. Thus, patience is key to receiving the blessed compassion of the Lord. Since He saves those who call on Him we know that when we petition Him for His compassion He will grant it (Joel 2:28). Despite this promise, do not forget the word of God where He has also promised not to answer the prayers of the wicked (Proverbs 15:29). Thus, to receive the blessing of His compassion, you cannot afford to be a wicked person. The only way to achieve this is to live in accordance with scripture (1 John 1:7). If you measure yourself by worldly understanding instead of God's word, you will not be righteous and your petitions will not be answered.
Start moving in the direction of righteousness today and call on God to help you live a life that pleases Him (Ephesians 4:1). Know that God wants everyone to enjoy His compassion. He will do whatever it takes for you to experience it.
Tell Him you want this and be sure to obey His instructions in the Bible. Appeal to the God of compassion to help you with whatever challenge stands in your way. He is ready and willing to show Himself as compassionate to you.
Come back to fellowship with us at Noon EST. During that hour, we will worship, intercede for others with prayers, and cry out to God for His compassion to envelop us.
To learn more, please read the following past messages:
ALTAR CALL
At each Praise & Pray (for others) gathering, I invite participants to give their lives to Christ and accept Him into their hearts as their Lord and Savior.
Today, I'd like to share the following scripture -
1 Timothy 1:15-16 - This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them, but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life (GNT).
Jesus died on the cross because of the love He and…