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Audio Below

Psalm 28

Biblical Compassion

Verses 1-2: Cry for God's Attention 

1To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 



Intro

• In these opening verses, David passionately calls upon the Lord, seeking His attention and mercy. 
• Listen to him. Learn how he acknowledges God as his Rock and pleads for God not to be silent but to hear his cries for help.

Compassion, a theme woven deeply into the fabric of Scripture, is not merely an emotion but a compelling force that should characterize the life of every believer. 

• Rooted in the very nature of God, biblical compassion is a call to action, a movement of the heart that translates into tangible expressions of love and care for others.

At the core of biblical compassion is the nature of God Himself.

In Exodus 34:6, God declares Himself to the Moses as “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” 

Compassion by God's Standard

This revelation of God’s character sets the foundation for understanding compassion from a biblical perspective. 

• It is not an optional accessory to the Christian life but a fundamental attribute of those who reflect God’s character.

Jesus Christ, the ultimate embodiment of God's love and compassion, provides the perfect model. In the Gospels, we see Jesus moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34).

• His compassion was never passive; it led to action – feeding the hungry, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and ultimately, giving His life for our salvation. 
• The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) further illustrates this principle, where compassion is shown by the one who went beyond cultural and religious boundaries to care for the wounded man.

Biblical compassion, therefore, is an active choice to empathize with those in distress and to alleviate their suffering.

•  It goes beyond mere feelings and extends to sacrificial love and service. 
•  It is not selective or convenient but is as boundless and indiscriminate as the grace of God.

Paul, in his epistles, frequently exhorts believers to clothe themselves with compassion (Colossians 3:12). 

• This metaphor of clothing suggests that compassion is something to be put on intentionally, a deliberate choice to embody this virtue in our daily interactions.

In practicing biblical compassion, we are called to be sensitive to the needs around us – both within our communities and beyond. 

• It involves listening to others' stories, empathizing with their struggles, and responding in love and practical assistance. 
• It also calls for advocacy and justice, standing up for the oppressed and vulnerable, following the example of prophets like Isaiah who called for righteousness and care for the needy (Isaiah 1:17).

In a world often marked by indifference and self-centeredness, biblical compassion stands as a counter-cultural testimony of God’s love. It reflects the heart of the Gospel – a message not just of words, but of love in action. 

Prayer

As we grow in our understanding of God’s compassion towards us, may it inspire and compel us to live out this compassion in our world, embodying the love and grace of Christ to all.