Does God Have Empathy?

WHAT CREATION TEACHES US

Empathy is defined as "the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation."  Mental-health expert Dr. Rick Hanson states that "empathy  is in  our bones."

Consider: Why are we endowed with empathy, a quality unmatched in any other species?  The Bible explains that God created humankind in his image.  (Genesis 1:26)  We are made in the image of God in that we can reflect his  personality and thus display a measure of his fine qualities.  Hence, when empathy moves caring people to help others, they mirror the empathy of their compassionate Creator, Jehovah God. - PROVERBS 14:31. 

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD'S EMPATHY

God has empathy for us and hates to see us suffer. Regarding the people of ancient Israel who endured harsh slavery in Egypt followed by 40 difficult years in the wilderness the Bible says:  "During all distress it was distressing to him."  (Isaiah 63:9)  Note that God was not merely aware of their distress. He could feel their pain.  "I well know the pains they suffer," he stated. (Exodus 2:7) "Whoever touches you," touches the pupil in my eye." (Zechariah 2:8)  When others hurt us, his heart aches with ours.

The Bible assures us that even though we feel self-condemned and unworthy of God's empathy, "God is greater than our hearts and knows all things."  (1 John 3:19, 20)  God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is fully aware of our circumstances, thoughts, and feelings.  He has empathy for us.

The Scriptures assure us

* "You will call, and Jehovah will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, 'Here I am!'" -ISAIAH 58:9.

* "For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you ,' declares Jehovah, 'thoughts of peace and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." -JEREMIAH 29:11, 12.

*  "Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?" - PSALM 56:8.

Next time: DOES GOD HAVE EMPATHY? - GOD NOTICES, UNDERSTANDS, AND FEELS FOR US

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