Devotionals

Our Compassion, the Way God Answers Their Prayers

By novia collis · April 9, 2019 · 5 min read

Some time ago, I learned the meaning of compassion.

I was told that my former child caregiver was sick and needed surgery. To make the treatment process easier, she wanted to stay at our house. Remembering how she used to work, I was actually disappointed and reluctant to meet her again. All the more to give her accommodation in our home for days, I felt hesitant.

However, after discussing it with my husband, my perspective was corrected: someone who is sick needs a place to stay in our home, how could I have the heart to refuse her?

On the appointed day, we picked her up at the bus station. Seeing how thin, pale, and weak she was, I was moved and suddenly overwhelmed with guilt.

It turned out that my heart was poor in compassion.

Compassion Is a Divine Character

It is human nature to treat others the way they treat us. If they are good, we are good to them. But if they are cruel, we want to repay them with cruelty too. "Every now and then they need to be taught a lesson, so they know how it feels," is the kind of outburst of annoyance we often hear.

But as followers of Christ, we are no longer worldly people, but people who ought to have divine character.

“For if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.” – Luke 6:33

The Lord wants to make a distinction between His followers and the people of the world. And Jesus Himself has already given us the example.

“But God shows His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Not merely giving shelter, food, physical healing, or blessings, Jesus was even willing to give His life for those who had sinned against Him. Without compassion, Jesus could never have done that.

God Desires Compassion

As Christians, we often worship in church buildings. However, the Lord is more pleased when we put that worship into practice through real actions in daily life. Jesus did not only preach in public, but came down and directly ministered to those who needed Him. In fact, at times He had to set aside His personal matters in order to help others.

For example, when Jesus wanted to be alone after losing John the Baptist (Matius 14:1-12). Even while grieving and sorrowful, Jesus chose to minister to the crowds who kept following Him. His heart was moved with compassion when He saw those who were sick and hungry (Matius 14:13-19).

“What I desire is compassion, not sacrifice …” – Matthew 12:7a

How ironic it is if we fill ourselves with much knowledge of the Word yet neglect others. If we want to serve, our opportunities are not only in the church. There are so many people out there who need our ministry.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God our Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble ….” – James 1:27a

My former child caregiver was only a poor widow who was sick. She lives in a village far from adequate access to health care, and therefore needed a place to stay while undergoing treatment. Even if her work in the past was disappointing, could that be a reason for me not to show compassion to her?

If only I had remembered and lived out the Word in Yakobus 1:27 from the beginning, I surely would not have hesitated to give her a place to stay. Instead, I would have welcomed her with open arms, because that was a concrete opportunity to apply God's Word in my life.

Compassion Lightens the Heart

By always putting on compassion (Kolose 3:12), we will find it easier to love others who are in need, regardless of who they are, because we do it for the Lord.

Having compassion also enables us to do these two things:

1. Makes it easier for us to forgive

If God, who is perfect, is willing to forgive human wrongdoing, why do we, who are imperfect, refuse to accept the faults of others?

Showing compassion not only makes it easier for us to forgive, but also to love, and even to serve those who have hurt us.

“But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your trespasses either." – Matthew 6:15

2. Encourages us to give

Do not merely say, "What a pity," and then do nothing. Or deliberately close ourselves off so that we will not suffer loss. Realize that what we have right now is not ours and ours alone by right. It may be that there are people out there who need help, and God answers their prayers through us.

How blessed we are when God chooses us to be the answer to someone else's prayer. Perhaps God wants to make our home the answer to the prayer of someone who needs a place to stay; our money the answer to the prayer of someone threatened by hunger; or our willingness to relent for someone who is no longer able to repay a debt. Whatever it is, do what we can to become a channel of His love. “If anyone has worldly goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how can God's love remain in him?” – 1 John 3:17

Is it still hard for us right now to have compassion on those who have wronged us, or whom we consider unworthy of love? If so, ask the Lord to pour out His steadfast love on us. God's compassion will lead us so that we are able to act in love toward those in need.

God bless you.

*Church GKDI currently has a presence in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official