Do you want to add more "life" to your life? John 17:3 says, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." So the key is to see God in the midst of your daily experiences and coming to know His character through them.

 

With that goal in mind, today's word to describe God is "Compassionate."

 

Devotion

The dictionary defines compassion as "a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, or in trouble." There was a time in my life when I wondered if God really wanted to help me when I was in trouble. I had an image of Him as hearing my prayers and saying, "Hmm, let me think about it."

 

But then, as I read the bible and meditated on it, I saw clearly that it details God's love for mankind and His passion to reconcile us to Him. In His compassion, He saw the devastating effects of sin upon us and He sent the ultimate cure: His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

To me, Jesus healing the leper in Mark 1:40-42 is a great example showing God's compassion.

 

In biblical times, leprosy was equivalent to condemnation. Because leprosy is contagious, lepers were forbidden to live within the community. They were outcasts. In fact, many of them often lived near city dumps, scrounging for food. They lived in loneliness and despair.

 

But the leper in Mark 1:40-42 made a decision that always comes before personal change: "I don't want to keep living like this." He wanted a better life and he saw Jesus as the source of that new life. He went to Jesus, kneeled before Him in honor, and said "If You are willing, You can make me clean." I love the man's faith in stating 'You can make me clean" rather than doubting as in "Can you make me clean?"

 

The bible says that Jesus was moved with compassion and touched him. What? Jesus could have just spoken a word and healed the man immediately. He didn't have to touch him.

 

Think about how much it means to you when someone you care about puts a hand on your shoulder or pats you on the back. I think Jesus touching the man was a beautiful way of communicating that He loved and accepted him. God has a way of communicating with us in the way that we most need.

 

Then Jesus said, "I am willing; be cleansed." The bible says that as soon as Jesus said the word, the man was cleansed.

 

Like the leper couldn't keep silent about what Jesus had done for Him, how can we keep silent about what He has done for us? I am so grateful that He sent His word to heal me and cleanse me of my sins.

 

Because I know that God has a heart of compassion, I have confidence in going to Him for whatever I need. And I know that He is ready to supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory, whether they be Spiritual, emotional, mental, physical or financial.

 

Meditation scriptures

 

·         Psalm 111:4:  He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

 

·         Psalm 145:8-9: The LORD is gracious  and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.

 

·         James 5:11: Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

 

Be blessed in Health, Healing, and Wholeness,

 

Kimberly Taylor
Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com

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