Sympathetic God

Chuckle: A cop to a speeder: "Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

Quote: "None but God can satisfy the longings of an immortal soul; that as the heart was made for Him, so only He can fill it." --Richard C. Trench

"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are: he knows we are only dust" (Psalm 103:13-14 NLT).

The term, "sympathy" means the sharing of another person's feelings, as by feeling sorry for his suffering, or a feeling or condition that is the same as that of another. Please keep this definition in mind as we think about this attribute of our God.

A recurring truth of Scripture is that God is omniscient -- all knowing. The very idea that God knows everything about us is both comforting and unnerving, depending upon our relationship with Him. God not only sees and understands what you are going through, He identifies with your trouble in a sympathizing way. If we come to understand that God knows, we have taken the first step in healing a broken life.

We are a fragile people, but God's care is unfailing and eternal. All too often we focus on God as a judge and law-giver while ignoring his compassion and concern for us. Each of us should be thankful that God's love, mercy and grace takes everything about us into account as he deals with us. He will deal with you in a sympathetic and compassionate way, and you can trust him in every circumstance. "He (Jesus) felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NLT).

In this passage, Jesus showed his deep love and concern for people who desperately needed a Savior. The beautiful picture of God as the Good Shepherd is often used in Scripture. A shepherd dedicates his life to the care and protection of his sheep, and Jesus gave His very life so that each of us could be saved from the ravages of sin. His love, sympathy, and compassion come through clearly as you read the words of Jesus. He understands what you are going through because "This High Priest (Jesus) of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).

By dwelling among us here on earth and experiencing the same trials and temptations as we do, the God Man, Jesus, understands your life experiences and is there to help you through them by the power of his Spirit. By His example, He shows each of us that we do not have to give in and sin, even when we face Satan’s most seductive lure of temptation.

Love, Jerry & Dotse