Topic: Be Compassionate
Bible Reading: Jonah 1-4; Revelation 9.
Memory Verse: “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:10 (KJV)
Compassionate is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “having a temper or disposition to pity; inclined to show mercy; merciful; having a heart that is tender, and easily moved by the distresses, sufferings, wants and infirmities of others.”
There was never a heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate. You need to be compassionate as a disciple of Christ. God is always compassionate. That’s why Christ died for everyone so that we may be saved. Lamentations 3:22 (KJV) says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” This is why as disciples of Christ, we should look beyond justice. There are many things that people do that if you look at justice alone, you will punish them and they truly deserve it but on account of compassion, you will have to tender justice with mercy.
A number of Christians often focus on justice and less on mercy. This is similar to what Jonah focused on. He knew that the Ninevetes had sinned and grieved God and they deserved to be punished. Left to him, that punishment should be given to them irrespective of their repentance and this is why he was reluctant to answer God’s call to go to Nineveh and warn them of God’s impending judgement on them. He believed that God was merciful and would have mercy on them such that his own message of God’s punishment for them would no longer come to pass. And when he changed his mind to go after the fish had swallowed him, he delivered God’s message to the Ninevites and they repented of their sin. The Bible captures that succinctly in Jonah 3:6-7 (KJV), “For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. [7] And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:”
When God saw how they feared Him by their repentance, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:10 (KJV). Of course, this confirmed the earlier thought of Jonah and he was displeased and angry with God for having mercy on the people! (Jonah 4:1 KJV). Are you one of those who lays emphasis on Justice alone without mercy? Please remember that without compassion of God, you would have been consumed by the punishment for your past transgressions! But God forgave you and expect you to be patient with others and also show them mercy even when they offend you. Matthew 5:7 (KJV) says, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” May God be merciful to you in all your ways in Jesus name.
Action point: Be compassionate to everyone around you.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero