How many times do we find ourselves in a situation, and think, “I deserve this. I brought it on myself,” and find ourselves ashamed to ask for help and strength from God?
I know I have felt this way. Because of failure, sin, or downright ignorance I get myself into a tight spot, and feel like I should not receive help from God because I knew better, or at least should have.
It is easier to accept that God is merciful and will forgive us, but it is sometimes hard to believe that He wants to aid us after our own mistakes.
That is when we need to realize and remember the compassion of God. Psalm 145:8 (NKJV) states, “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.” Also we find in Lamentations 3:22 (NKJV), “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.”
Just like God’s mercy, His compassion is greater than our sin, greater than our errors, greater than our flaws. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) the father not only receives his wayward son, and forgives him, but also begins to take care of every need. Even though this son had failed miserably, his father not only forgave him, looking at his repentant son through eyes of mercy, he began to provide for his son’s needs, looking at him through eyes of compassion. The wrongs had been forgiven. The only thing the father saw now was the need.
There is a very old song which comes to my mind, entitled “He Looked Bey0nd My Fault and Saw My Need.” This is the compassion of God. He forgives the fault, then deals with the need.
If you believe in God’s mercy, and have faith in His ability, then trust in His compassion in your time of need, even if it was caused by your own doing. He has not changed, and wants to meet you at that point of need.
Be blessed and have a great day.
