{"id":28224,"date":"2015-10-21T00:15:33","date_gmt":"2015-10-21T04:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=28224"},"modified":"2015-10-21T05:44:29","modified_gmt":"2015-10-21T09:44:29","slug":"28224","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2015\/10\/21\/28224\/","title":{"rendered":"God Of Compassion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16629\" src=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv.jpg\" alt=\"psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv\" width=\"341\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv.jpg 341w, https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv-300x175.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">There is an everlasting kindness \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You lavished on us\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">When the Radiance of heaven Came to rescue the lost<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You called the sheep without a shepherd\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">To leave their distress<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">\u00a0For your streams of forgiveness\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And the shade of Your rest<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And with compassion for the hurting\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You reached out Your hand\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">As the lame ran to meet You\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And the dead breathed again<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You saw behind the eyes of sorrow\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And shared in our tears<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Heard the sigh of the weary<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Let the children draw near \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What boundless love<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What fathomless grace\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You have shown us, O God of compassion\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Each day we live\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">An offering of praise\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><em>As we show to the world Your compassion<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">We stood beneath the cross of Calvary\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And gazed on Your face\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">At the thorns of oppression\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And the wounds of disgrace<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">\u00a0For surely You have borne our suffering\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And carried our grief\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">As You pardoned the scoffer\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And showed grace to the thief \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">How beautiful the feet that carry\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">This gospel of peace\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">To the fields of injustice\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And the valleys of need<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">To be a voice of hope and healing\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">To answer the cries\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Of the hungry and helpless\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #800080;\">With the mercy of Christ<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fMR85VnEluM?rel=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Keith and Kristyn Getty<\/em>\/Getty Music<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0~ \u00a0 \u2665 \u00a0 ~\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u271e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0~ \u00a0\u2665 \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 *<\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">T<span id=\"en-NASB-15558\" class=\"text Ps-103-8\">he <span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span> is<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"><span style=\"line-height: 22px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span>compassionate and gracious,<br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-103-8\">Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.<br \/>\n<\/span>Psalm 103:8<\/p>\n<p>There is one word in this passage that really sticks out to me\u2014<em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">compassion<\/span> <\/em>(or merciful, as rendered in other translations). \u00a0Twice in Psalm 103, we read that the Lord \u2018is compassionate \/ merciful&#8217; (verse 8) and in verse 13, it says that He \u201chas compassion\u201d (or mercy or pity). \u00a0I often find it so very helpful, when studying the Scriptures, to read a particular verse or passage in a number of different Bible versions. \u00a0It always brings about a more complete understanding&#8230; at least to me. \u00a0(Do you find that true, too?) \u00a0I would like to let you experience this in reference to this verse. \u00a0My go-to version for studying is always the Amplified Bible version; so I\u2019ll start there&#8230;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>AMP<br \/>\nThe Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.<\/li>\n<li>NIV<br \/>\nThe LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.<\/li>\n<li>NLT<br \/>\nThe LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry, filled with unfailing love.<\/li>\n<li>ESV<br \/>\nThe LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.<\/li>\n<li>NASB<br \/>\nThe LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness.<\/li>\n<li>KJV<br \/>\nThe LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.<\/li>\n<li>HCSB<br \/>\nThe LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in faithful love.<\/li>\n<li>ISV<br \/>\nThe LORD is compassionate and gracious, patient, abundantly rich in gracious love.<\/li>\n<li>ASV<br \/>\nJehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.<\/li>\n<li>DBT<br \/>\nJehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness.<\/li>\n<li>Webster&#8217;s<br \/>\nThe LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.<\/li>\n<li>YLT<br \/>\nMerciful and gracious is Jehovah, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each of these versions (and, of course, there are more!) communicate basically the same thing&#8230;but some add just a further bit of information or inflection. \u00a0After reading through these, I was left praising God Who is \u2018compassionate and merciful and gracious\u2019 and abundantly rich in steadfast, unfailing, in loving-kindness\u2019! \u00a0How great is our God!!!<\/p>\n<p>The Strong\u2019s concordance uses the following words to biblically define \u2018compassion\/merciful\u2019 as used in verse 8: &#8220;to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion&#8221;. \u00a0And listen to this tidbit of insight: \u00a0this particular word &#8216;compassionate&#8217; (<em>rachuwm<\/em>, pronounced \u2018rakh-oom\u2019) is used only 13 times throughout the OT. \u00a0It is also one of the names by which Almighty God describes Himself; such as here in Deuteronomy 4:31:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For the <span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span> your God is a {<em>rachuwm<\/em>}\u00a0<strong><em>merciful\u00a0and compassionate God<\/em><\/strong>;<br \/>\nHe will not fail you, nor destroy you,<br \/>\nnor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.<\/p>\n<p>And here is the very first occurrence of this word {<em>rachuwm<\/em>) in the Bible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,<br \/>\n\u201cThe\u00a0<span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, the <span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, the compassionate\u00a0and merciful\u00a0God,<br \/>\nslow to anger,\u00a0abounding in love\u00a0and faithfulness&#8230;&#8221;<br \/>\nExodus 34:6<\/p>\n<p>Almighty God declared Himself \u2018&#8230;the compassionate and merciful God&#8230;\u2019 during His encounter with Moses on Mount Sinai. \u00a0No doubt God had already proven Himself VERY compassionate, merciful, and gracious towards the children of Israel! \u00a0Remember this is the account where He allows Moses to redo the two tablets on which had been the commandments which God had written and given to Moses. \u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Exodus+32-34&amp;version=NASB;AMP;ESV;HCSB;KJV\" target=\"_blank\">Here\u2019s a link<\/a> to go read this passage.) \u00a0While Moses and Joshua were up on the mountain receiving God\u2019s commands, the people had chosen to turn back to their idolatrous ways and had made a golden calf and were worshipping this idol. \u00a0 Upon his return, Moses became so disgusted and angry with them that he threw the tablets on the ground and broke them to smithereens! \u00a0(NOT good!) \u00a0Moses pleaded with the Lord and interceded on behalf of the Israelites. \u00a0And \u2018the <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><em><strong>compassionate and merciful<\/strong><\/em><\/span> God\u2019 relented and gave them yet another chance to repent and obey. \u00a0This shows the magnitude of the Lord\u2019s mercy, compassion, and grace!<\/p>\n<p>So what does this mean to us&#8230;some 3,000+ years later? \u00a0It means <strong>every<\/strong>thing&#8230;because God\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> <strong>does not, cannot, will not<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>change. \u00a0He is the same &#8220;&#8230;<em>compassionate\u00a0and merciful\u00a0God, <\/em><em>slow to anger,\u00a0abounding in love\u00a0and faithfulness&#8221;\u00a0<\/em>as He was then.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For I, the LORD, do not change;<br \/>\ntherefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed&#8230;<br \/>\nMalachi 3:6<\/p>\n<p>I pray that each of us would hold fast and cling to this truth, and give much praise to our great God Who is the<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><em> God of compassion<\/em><\/strong><\/span>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008080;\">\u00a0 * \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 \u2665 \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 \u271e \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 \u2665 \u00a0 ~ \u00a0 *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueletterbible.org\/lang\/lexicon\/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7349&amp;t=KJV\" target=\"_blank\">Here is a link<\/a>\u00a0 if you would like to study this verse and the usage of \u2018compassionate\/merciful\u2019 in describing the Lord God Who IS oh-so-very merciful and compassionate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is an everlasting kindness \u00a0 You lavished on us\u00a0 When the Radiance of heaven Came to rescue the lost You called the sheep without a shepherd\u00a0 To leave their distress \u00a0For your streams of forgiveness\u00a0 And the shade of Your rest And with compassion for the hurting\u00a0 You reached out Your hand\u00a0 As the 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