Day 19 God is Compassionate

Day 19: God is Compassionate

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. - Luke 15:19-20
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:21-23


The Greek word for compassion, splagchnizomai, translated into English means something like “gut-wrenching sympathy that compels one to action.” The Lord is so full of compassion -- gut-wrenching sympathy -- for us that He gave us His Son. That's what compassion is: it’s a compassion that meets us where we are at, like how the father showed compassion to the prodigal son who was far off. Christ meets us in our joys and He meets us in our suffering. He is our Emmanuel - we don’t have a God who is merely for us but one who is with us.
The prodigal son considered himself unworthy of his father's love, yet the father ran and embraced him. Who do you deem unworthy by looking down on, or ignoring their situation? Our Father is not one of closed fists or crossed arms. He extends His arms, gives of His time and love, and listens to our hearts.

Suggested Guided Prayer Times:
  • Lord, thank You for meeting me where I am. Thank You that Your compassions never fail. You are closer than I know - a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Thank You for Your steady love and unending grace. (Seek His face and meditate on His compassion)
  • Father, thank You for modeling a life of compassion. Fill my heart with Your splagchnizomai, that I may overflow to others; break my heart for what breaks Yours. Compel my heart to love Your people more today, Lord, and may that compel me to action. (Pause and ask Him to bring a specific people group or cause to mind)
  • Seek Him for specific names of people in your circle who you can show His love to today.

Action Steps:
  • Close your eyes and meditate on the words in the song, “For the One” by Jenn Johnson
  • What names did the Lord bring to mind? Choose 1-2 things to do this week to show His compassionate love to them.

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