A FATHER’S COMPASSION

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

‭‭— Psalm‬ ‭103:13‬ 

Compassion. The dictionary says compassion is “to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help.”  We could say compassion is a tangible expression of love and understanding for those who are suffering.

But this verse refers specifically to the kind of compassion a father has for his children. Here’s what a father’s compassion is not:  it is not pity, anger, shame, impatience, intolerance, or rejection.  The scripture tells us a father’s kind of compassion is what God, our Heavenly Father, gives to us as His children. He cared enough for the pain and struggles of His Creation to send His son Jesus to enter into our world and dwell among us.

Can I just tell ya something?  It is important to recognize one key phrase from this verse: “those who fear Him.”  In other words, this compassion is for those who have a reverential awe of God. He does not express this same father’s compassion for those who reject Him.

Can I just tell ya something?  It is important to recognize one key phrase from this verse: “those who fear Him.”

We become adopted children of the Father of Compassion when/if surrender our lives to Him, obey Him, honor Him, revere Him, worship Him and trust Him.

YOU ARE LOVED

There is no one now, never has been, or ever will be who Jesus loves more than He loves you.  

You are loved.

GOD IS GOOD

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him. 

-- Nahum 1:7

Nahum was a minor prophet who wrote about the end of the Assyrian Empire, and it’s capital city, Nineveh, in a vivid poetic style.  The people of Nineveh had repented and turned to God in the past (see book of Jonah) but had now returned to their cruel and wicked ways and were no longer honoring God.  So, through Nahum, God called them out and warned they would be destroyed. 

But, Nahum also gave the people another message.  He reminded the people that God is good and is can be trusted.  He cares about us and when trouble comes, we will find refuge in Him if we will seek Him.  We have hope in Him.  If we are following Him and trusting in Him, we have a blessed assurance that no matter what happens, we will be taken care of by Him. 

Can I just tell ya something?  The book of Nahum not really a “pretty" book to read. The description of violence is as graphic as any war movie.  But right there in the middle of all the brutality is one of the most beautiful promises in the Bible. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him"

Can I just tell ya something?  The book of Nahum not really a “pretty" book to read. The description of violence is as graphic as any war movie. 

God is so good.  When you have fully surrendered your life to Him, you are in the shadow of His wing and have a refuge in times of trouble.  He is a safe place, a sanctuary, and a shelter.  This dark and dirty world, we only temporarily call home, can become overwhelming and distressful.  But, as a true disciple and genuine follower of Jesus, you have a good God who cares for those who take refuge in Him.

DWELL ON THESE

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ​— ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​— ​dwell on these things.  -- Philippians 4:8

Try as we might to only ever think of right or good things, our mind is a complicated thing.  It plays tricks on us and we play tricks back.  We have all fallen into the trap of thinking about wrong or less than positive things.  If we allow those negative thoughts to hang out in our minds, before long, they can lead us to become upset, discouraged, and something less than God has in mind for us as His children.

We encouraged here in this passage to think on good things.  In fact, the Apostle Paul is very specific.  He gives us a list:  whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or otherwise has moral excellence and is praiseworthy.  We are not only to think about them.  We are instructed to dwell on these.

What we think about can have a powerful influence over our lives and can lead to a change in our habits and actions.  Neuroscientists have discovered that repetitive thoughts form neural pathways as neurons that fire together, get wired together.  Can I just tell ya something?  This is already way too sciency and above my paygrade.  But this means that the more a particular thought is allowed to stew in our minds, the stronger those neural pathways become.  As those neural pathways become stronger, they become our "go to" pattern of thinking.  So Paul says, do not think about those things.  Think about these other things instead.

Can I just tell ya something?  This is already way too sciency and above my paygrade. 

The challenge for us as true disciples and followers of Jesus, is to redirect negative thoughts when we begin to sense them creeping into our minds.  We need to replace them with thoughts which have moral excellence and then dwell on them.  Purposing in our hearts to only allow positive thoughts to hang out is a setup for success.

JUST PRAY ABOUT IT

Just pray about it.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

-- Philippians 4:6-7

WHEN GOD SAYS NO

When God gives you a NO, give Him a THANK YOU. 

He was protecting you from less than HIS  best.

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will 

for you in Christ Jesus.  -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

ALL I NEED

All I need is You, Lord! 

God is my salvation; I will trust him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song.

‭‭— Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬

PURPOSE

It is a lie of a lost world that life is about finding yourself. Life is about discovering who God designed and created you to be. 

#PURPOSE

PERSPECTIVE

Perspective is everything. You can allow it to be your prison. OR you can make it your passport to discovering and becoming who God intended for you to be. 

HAT OVER THE WALL

Throw your hat over the wall. 

In other words:  commit yourself to completing the task ahead. 

Get after it, in the name of Jesus, Amen!

JFK famously announced that the U.S. would have a man on the moon within 10 years. He said it even though the space program had not even been launched yet.  He was bold enough to toss his hat over the wall and then chase after it, even though his political opponents said it was a crazy idea.