Moved With Compassion

The word compassion doesn’t seem to me to be used enough. And sometimes it feels like we’re living in the last days that Jesus described: “Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12 AMP).

I think Jesus is talking about all of mankind in His statement. 

It’s chilling to think of the love and light for God burning out in anyone. Just like keeping a watchful eye on a burning candle, we must make sure our love for God and others stays strong in our hearts.

When we practice listening to and observing others, we can offer help where it’s needed. Who in our own family and circle of friends and neighbors needs help? And how about people that we don’t know? As James 4:17 reminds us: Any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.

A couple years ago, I had prayed for God to show me someone who needed help. Soon after, I met a woman who seemed ill walking past my house. I discovered she lived close by in my neighborhood and that she battled cancer. I had never seen her before. Her name was Tracy. 

Over a few short weeks, I’d drive Tracy to the grocery store, and we’d talk and pray in my car. She had been the wife of a preacher and had lost a beloved daughter. She was in deep emotional and physical pain. The last time I saw her, she gave me a copy of an old Joyce Meyer DVD as a way to say thank you. And then … she was gone. She passed away and is now in the arms of Christ. Looking back, I think Jesus just wanted someone to be her friend during her days on earth.

If we ask Him how to help, He will answer … because He loves us all so much. 

This story about the two blind men sitting by the road is wonderful:

When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David (Messiah)!” The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David (Messiah) have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them, and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They answered Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him [as His disciples]. (Matthew 20:30-34)

In that passage, we see the heart of Jesus. He heard those blind men’s cries, and He stopped for them. Jesus was moved with compassion. Can you imagine their excitement?

And when we listen and follow His leading, our hearts can be moved with compassion, too, and help make this cold world a little warmer with God’s love.

Father God, we ask today that You would make us more sensitive to those around us who need Your help. Show us how we can make a difference to our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. This whole world needs Your presence. Use us as Your hands and feet as You desire. We ask this in Your precious Son’s name. Amen.

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Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.