24-Nov-14

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for Jehovah hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13I am always amazed by the words that are associated with compassion.  Love, joy, comfort, peace, blessing…and many other good words.  Those bring enjoyment and motivation to be.Anger, impatience, chaos, unrest and curses are the other side of the spectrum.  These tear down, and the words that build us up are in the first paragraph — the Good Words.  Compassionate words.  Words that are filled with and convey love — for God is Love.Suffering can be a pathway to perseverance — to finish well.  Suffering without the compassion and mercy of God will only bring bitterness.  We surround ourselves with those who love and laugh and rejoice in the Lord.  It is hard to understand those who draw away from His Light.  Who judge and hate everyone and everything.  These are the lonely people.To ‘finish well’ is to know that suffering is the way God refines us and prepares us to live forever with Him. Even as we make mistakes, we do not turn away, we return over and over to The Lord, for He is full of compassion and mercy.Dear Lord of Compassion and Mercy, on this day I praise You for your goodness to me.  May I always acknowledge your Greatness and never turn from You.  For you are all that I want, you are all that I need.  You meet my needs and give me your mercy out of the storehouse of Your Abundance.  Thank You is not enough, I give you my Heart and my Life.   In Jesus’ Name, AmenBrothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11