Compassion is the attitude behind the act. The word comes from the words to ‘suffer with’.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, Ephesians 4 v32
Today may God open our eyes to see.
Today may our heart be broken for the broken.
Today may we not give up until those around us and beyond us are helped.
God loves and defends those with the least economic and social power and so should we. This is compassion.
Why should we care about slavery which still exists today?
Why should we be concerned about those who are hurting?
It is because God is compassionate and we encouraged by the Apostle are called to be like Him.
Deuteronomy10:17-18 “The Lord your God …defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the immigrant giving him food and clothing.”
So often God is introduced as the defender of the vulnerable. This is so significant.
This is one of the main things he does in the world. He identifies with the powerless, he takes up their cause.
This sets our Compassionate God apart from all the other ancient gods whose power was always channelled through and identified with the elite of society. Our God was and is always on the side of the powerless and of justice for the poor, needy and vulnerable.
If we don’t respond to the cries of the hurting we dishonour God and we hide God from the world.
It’s time for me, and for us to get bothered about what really bothers God. It is time to ‘suffer with’.
Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.
Missions Paul 