Imitate Jehovah's Compassion - JEHOVAH-THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION

The Bible contains many examples of Jehovah's compassion.  For example, thing of what he did for Lot.  Lot was a righteous man who was "greatly distressed" by the immoral people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Those people had no respect for God, and Jehovah decided they deserved to die.   (2 Peter 2:7, 8)  Jehovah sent angels to Lot to tell him that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed and that he needed to flee.  The Bible says:  "When [Lot] kept lingering, then because of Jehovah's compassion for him, the [angels] seized hold of his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of two daughters, and they brought him out and stationed him outside the city."  (Genesis 19:16)  Just as Jehovah understood Lot's situation, we can be sure that he understands any difficulties we go through. -Isaiah 63:7-9; James 9-11; 2 Peter 2:9. 

Jehovah has also taught his people to show compassion.  Think about one of the laws that he gave to Israel.  If someone owed money to lender, the lender could take the person's garment as a guaranteed that he would pay the money back.  (Read Exodus 22:26, 27.)  But the lender had to return the garment back to the person by sunset so they could stay warm during the night.   Someone who was not compassionate would not want to give the garment back. but Jehovah taught his people to be compassionate.  What  does the principle behind this law teach us?  Never ignore the needs of a fellow Christian.  When we can help a brother or a sister who is suffering, we want to do so. -Colossians 3:12; James 2:15, 16; read 1 John 3:17. 

Jehovah felt compassion for the Israelites even when they sinned against him.  We read: "Jehovah the God of their forefathers kept warning them by means f his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place."  (Chronicles 36:15)  In a similar way, we should feel compassion for those who do not yet know Jehovah but who may still repent and become his friends.  Jehovah does not want anyone to be destroyed in the coming judgment.  (2 Peter 3:9)  So while there is still time, we  want to share this warning with everyone we can and help; as many as possible to benefit God's compassion. 

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