Our Compassionate God

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading, titled, Our Compassionate God, was written by Patricia Rabin. The winter night was cold when someone threw a large stone through a Jewish child's bedroom window. A Star of David had been displayed in the window, along with a menorah, to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. In the child's town of Billings, Montana, thousands of people, many of them believers in Jesus, responded to the hateful act with compassion.

Choosing to identify with the hurt and fear of their Jewish neighbors, they pasted pictures of menorahs in their own windows. As believers in Jesus, we too receive great compassion. The Gospel of John tells us our Savior humbled himself to live among us, identifying with us.

On our behalf, Philippians 2 says, He, being in very nature God, made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. Then, feeling as we feel and weeping as we weep, he died on a cross, sacrificing his life to save ours. Nothing we struggle with is beyond our Savior's concern. If someone throws rocks at our lives, he comforts us. If life brings disappointments, he walks with us through despair. Psalm 138 declares, Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly.

Though lofty, he sees them from afar. In our troubles, he preserves us, stretching out his hand against both the anger of our foes and our own deepest fears. Thank you, God, for your compassionate love. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 138. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart. Before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me, you greatly emboldened me. May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly.

Though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes. With your right hand, you save me. The Lord will vindicate me. Your love, Lord, endures forever.

Do not abandon the works of your hands. Let's pray. Almighty God, you alone get us through difficult situations. Your love and compassion sustain us. Thank you for understanding our struggles and comforting us with loving care. Remind us always to share your compassion with others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.