The Word of God-Compassion

“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. I know, LORD, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me. May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame.” ~Psalms 119:73-80 HCSB

Have you ever been close to someone who knew how to say the right words to pick you up or comfort you?  People like that are rare in our lives and we treasure the words they say to us in those ‘moments’ of life.  They have a special ability to make everything better.  But unfortunately for the majority of the time there isn’t anyone.  I think about the homeless person who is alone on the street.  I think about the soldier who is sitting on some far away post in the middle of nowhere.  Or the elderly widow sitting at home alone for days on end and no one thinks of her.  Today I talked to a friend who lost her husband a year ago and was going to visit her late husband’s grave.  Where can she turn and find comfort, how do you say anything that can bring her peace? You can’t but God can. 

The psalmist knows where to turn for true comfort and peace, “Your hands made me and formed me”, and it is the Lord who knows us.  He created us and knows us in ways we cannot possibly understand.  He alone can comfort and show us compassion that we may live.  By knowing and treasuring God’s word in our hearts He can comfort us with His words, “He is my Rock and my Stronghold”, “He is my shield and refuge”.  Talking on the phone this morning I thought about Jesus approaching the tomb of Lazarus.  He saw the chaos, He heard the weeping, He felt the pain of death and “Jesus wept”.  We have a living God who knows us and loves us.  His compassion is limitless.  He strengthens us when we are weak.  He walks alongside us and at times carries us.  By doing so he puts a song of praise on my lips and many will see and know the Lord.  His word is a delight and my heart is blessed by it.       

        

Lord give me a desire for Your word.  Lord let your word harbor itself in my mind and heart.  Lord speak to me through the Holy Spirit using Your instructions.  Amen.