COMPASSIONATE GOD
14th Nov 2018
When reading the Old Testament you realise that society had turned its back on God in much the same way as we have. Ezekiel 20 shows how over and over again the Israelites had forgotten their commitment to God, had turned to idol worship. Sinful behaviour was rampant and yet….
God states that although he felt anger, He says, “I acted out of who I was, not out of how I felt.” Ezekiel 20:9 in The Message. In NIV it is written, “But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nation.” which is repeated in verses 14 & 22.
God has feelings, He experiences anger, disappointment, He sees the mess that people are living in, the pain and hurt caused by broken relationships. He sees the gross sin in our society, but as in Ezekiel’s day He chooses to act out of who He is, not what He feels.
Exodus 34:6 describes our God, “The compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” also repeated in Psalm 86:15.
Psalm 103 also repeats God attributes, “He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth in renewed like the eagle’s”
The goodness of God is undeniable, as is the sinfulness, pain and disaster of society around us. Daniel faced with a similar scenario turns in prayer and fasting to intercede for God to act. Reading his heart felt prayer in Daniel 10 is deeply challenging. I ask myself, How much do I care? and, How much do I mourn over what’s happening in my nation? When did I last weep over the destruction I see?
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, describing the people as lost, shepherdless and broken. I’m asking the Lord for His compassionate nature to be released afresh in our hearts so we too will cry out for God’s intervention, His mercy, a new revealing of His love, and a new move of the Spirit.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
