The Compassionate Heart Of God

The Bible Is a Revelation of God’s Willingness to Meet the Needs of Humanity

Psalm 145:8-9 – “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He was moved with compassion. Jesus unveiled the compassionate heart of God to humanity by His willingness to minister to their every need.

Examples:
Matthew 14:13-14
Matthew 20:29-34
Matthew 9:35-10:8

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God that He might be a merciful, compassionate, and faithful High Priest for us. 

Hebrews 2:17 – “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” 

Hebrews 4:14 – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

Compassion and mercy mean the same thing. 

Hebrew noun rachamin is translated the same. 

Greek verb eleeo is translated to have mercy, to have compassion. 

Greek adjective fleemon is translated merciful, compassionate.

To have compassion is to love tenderly, to show mercy, and to be full of eager yearning.

David had a revelation of God’s compassion.
Psalm 136

Compassion Is the Greatest Expression of the Nature of God

God is not anything as much as He is love.

There is no greater revelation of the character of God that will inspire faith than His compassion.

When the truth of God’s compassion is revealed, then faith begins to run high.

It is not what God can do, but what we know He yearns to do that will inspire faith.

Satan has worked to hide the truth of God’s compassion by convincing the world that the age of miracles has passed. Even modern theology has aided Satan’s work by magnifying the power of God more than His compassion.

Paul magnified God’s compassion.
Ephesians 1:19 – “And what is the exceeding  greatness of his power to usward  who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”

The Bible does not say “God is power,” but “God is love.” The Bible magnifies God’s willingness to use His power rather than the power of itself. 

1 John 4:7-8 – “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

It is not so much faith in God’s power that secures His blessings, but faith in His love and in His willingness to give you those blessings. 

Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” 

Some people are highly developed in the fact that nothing is impossible with God. 

You must also become highly developed in the fact that God is willing to do the impossible.

The Lord Is Gracious

“The Lord is gracious,” (Psalms 145:8) means, “He is disposed to show favors.”

Actually it doesn’t take any faith to say the Lord is able; even the devil knows that.

The devil also knows that God is willing, and Satan doesn’t want you to find out.

Just simply knowing that God is able is not a sufficient basis for faith; but knowing the Lord’s compassion and willingness is.

Mark 1:40-45.
Jesus showed His compassion and willingness so that the man had a basis for expecting healing.

God’s Merciful Attitude Toward Us

Micah 7:18 – “…he delighteth in mercy.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 – “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 

This text not only exhibits the Lord’s willingness, but also shows His eagerness to pour out His blessings.

The literal translation of “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro” is “he is ever hunting for opportunities.”

God’s love is so great that it could not be fully gratified by only blessing what we can ask or think, but “exceeding abundantly above” (Ephesians 3:20).

God would rather you doubt His ability than His eagerness and willingness. It would be less insulting.

The key to knowing what God will do is to continue in His Word. 

God’s Word is His will. He will never say something in His Word and then will the opposite.