Imitate Jehovah's Compassion

"Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and compassionate." -Exodus 34:6. 

ON ONE occasion, God revealed himself to Moses by declaring His own  name and qualities.  The first ones that he listed were mercy and compassionate.  (Read Exodus 34:5-7) Jehovah could have stressed his power or his wisdom. Yet, to Moses, who was seeking reassurance of God's backing,Jehovah emphasized instead qualities that  underscore his willingness to help his servants. (Exodus 33:13) Do you not find it heartwarming that God mentioned these endearing traits ahead of any others?  This article will focus on the quality of compassion, a sympathetic awareness of another's suffering or adversity coupled with a desire to lessen it.

Humans were made in God's image. Accordingly, because Jehovah is compassionate, interest in others' well-being is rooted in human nature. Even those who do not know the true God often show compassion. (Genesis 1:27) We find many accounts in the Bible where a sense of compassion shines through. Recall the account of the two prostitutes who argued before Solomon over which of them was the actual mother of a child. When Solomon put them to the test by ordering that the baby be cut in half, the real mother's compassion was stirred. That moved her to act, even at the cost of giving the child up to the other woman.  (1 Kings 3:23-27)  Or recall Pharaoh's daughter who saved Moses' life. Though she realized that the infant she had found was one of the Hebrew's   and should not be kept alive, "she felt compassion for him" and decided to raise the child as her own. -Exodus 2:5, 6. 

Why should the topic of compassion interest you? Because the Bible urges you to imitate Jehovah.  (Ephesians 5:1) Yet, while humans were created to be compassionate, our imperfection as descendants of Adam inclines us towards self-interest. Sometimes,  we may that it is not easy to decide whether we will help others or concentrate on ourselves. For some, this is an ongoing conflict, or a balancing act. What can help; you to develop and maintain your interest in others?  First, take time to examine how Jehovah has shown compassion and how others have shown it. Second, consider how you can imitate God's example and how your doing so is truly beneficial. 

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Compassion - JEHOVAH-THE PERFECT MODEL OF COMPASSION

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