"You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion . . ."
Psalm 86:15
A family was gathered in a hospital waiting room. A son was having surgery. The mother said to the chaplain, "He's the one in the operating room, but I'm suffering with him." The chaplain said, "I understand. You're his mother and you feel his pain. That's called love, and you certainly love your son." She quietly wiped away the tears from her eyes. Mothers understand the love of God. Our God suffers with His children. The word compassion means "to suffer with." God is full of compassion for us.
The compassion of God is clearly seen at the cross of Jesus. God in Christ suffered injustice, rejection, pain and death. He understands our weakness and suffering, because He has compassion for us. A dad had just experienced the tragic death of his son. He lashed out, "Where was God when my son died?" His pastor sat quietly for a moment and then said, "He was in the same place when His Son died. He understands your grief and pain. He suffers with you." Those words touched the heart of a grief-stricken dad. That night, he was comforted by the compassion of God our Father.
God's Spirit puts compassion in our hearts for those who suffer. That is our God-given motivation to reach out to the hurting and suffering of others. God wants to work through our lives to show His compassion for others. It was 1984. My mother was at the point of death in a hospital room. A nurse stood at the foot of her bed. The nurse had tears as she stood with us. I have never forgotten that scene of compassion. God used her tears to comfort me.
God, fill our hearts with compassion for others.
