“God in all his mercy, gives us His pardon, by choosing compassion and forgiveness.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 9, 2024
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
While on vacation, we came upon an area where many homeless people lived. We looked upon the sad and dirty faces of men and women living in tents, some asleep on benches, and even some on the ground with only newspaper covering them. We didn’t know what life circumstances caused them to end up there, but compassion welled in our hearts toward them. It was a mix of empathy, sadness, and a desire to help that stirred within us.
While we may pride ourselves on our compassion, it’s a different story when the object of our compassion is someone who has caused us pain or betrayal. The scripture doesn’t offer an escape clause, saying, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, but only if they treat us well.” No, it calls us to a higher standard, urging us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another as Christ forgave us, even in the face of our own struggles with compassion.
God, in His infinite mercy, bestows His pardon upon us through the power of compassion and forgiveness. The Bible is replete with such instances, but one that stands out is the story of the adulterous woman, a testament to the awe-inspiring depth of His mercy and forgiveness.
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there” (John 8:6-9, NIV).
Although I’d love to know what Jesus was writing, the scripture doesn’t give us this detail, but his compassion spoke loud enough for everyone to hear and be convicted.
God gives us his pardon by demonstrating what He does with our sins. The Bible tells us in Psalm 103:11-12, “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” There may be times in life when we must make a choice and show compassion to another by forgiving them for hurting us. In these moments, it can be helpful to remember the depth of God’s mercy and the forgiveness we have received. I know how much I need and want His compassion and pardon, so I will endeavor to show the same to others, perhaps by listening without judgment, offering a helping hand, or simply choosing to let go of past hurts.
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).
Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me a heart of compassion for others. I’m grateful for the rich compassion and mercy you show to me each and every day of my life. Help me to continue to be more like you, Jesus.
Application
As you go about your day today keep your heart and eyes open to those who may need a touch of the Father’s love and compassion.
Related Reading
Zechariah 7:9; Psalm 86:15; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 7:12
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: Mighty to Save
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