What Is Compassion?

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

The word compassion consists of two components: “com” plus “passion.” Acts 1:3 defines the root word “passion” as suffering. The prefix “com” means with. Therefore, the compound word, com-passion means to suffer with someone. God expects every true child of God to demonstrate compassion, but even more impressive is the thought that the Lord Jesus Christ manifested compassion during His earthly ministry. What an amazing truth—the Lord of glory willingly humbles Himself to suffer with others. One might assume this only became possible because Christ took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3). Yet, the Bible attributes compassion to God prior to the first coming of Christ.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): How do you feel when someone gets sick or hurt? What can you do to help them? You want to do these things because you hurt for them. That is how you express compassion.

• (For everyone): Upon what is the Lord’s compassion based? How does this help us understand God’s ability to have compassion before His Son came in the likeness of sinful flesh?

• What are some ways in which the Lord has had compassion on you? Were you completely deserving of His compassion? Were you grateful to Him for having this compassion upon you?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Take time to thank the Lord for His compassion toward you.

• Ask God to give you opportunities to be more compassionate toward others.

SONG: Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Compassion