Compassion, Is A Fundamental and Distinctive Quality Of God

  

Matthew 14:14

(14) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

  Mark 6:34

(34) And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
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"Jesus is "moved with compassion" when He sees the needy multitudes exhausted and wandering like sheep that had been tattered from cruel fleecing. Twice He is "moved with compassion" when He sees the hungry multitudes without food (Matthew 14:14; 15:32). The two blind men (Matthew 20:34) and the leper (Mark 1:41) also stir His compassion, as does the sorrow of the widow at Nain (Luke 7:13).

"In addition, Jesus uses the word translated "compassion" in three of His parables: The king has compassion on his bankrupt servant and forgives him his debt, showing how we should forgive one another (Matthew 18:21-35). The Samaritan has compassion on the Jewish victim and cares for him in love (Luke 10:25-37). Finally, the father has compassion on his rebellious son (Luke 15:20).

"We, too, should show compassion toward others. Compassion, a fundamental and distinctive quality of God, is literally "a feeling with and for others." It lies at the foundation of Israel's faith in God because, in an act of compassion, He delivered them from slavery and called them to be His own people. His compassion does not fail (Lamentations 3:22). Jesus teaches that it should be extended, not only to friends and neighbors, but to all, even to our enemies. 

(Martin G Collins, http://www.theberean.org/, "Today's Verse and Comment, 03/02/20107)

DO NOT ABUSE YOUR PRIVELEGE OF PRAYER.

 

The Bible characterizes Solomon as being richer and wiser than any other king and the story of how he came to be so wise is repeated in every generation. Solomon had a dream in which he said the Lord appeared to him and asked “What would you like me to give you?” After thanking God “for letting me succeed my father, David,” he said “give me wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.” (I Kings 3:5,7,9) 

King Solomon wrote, “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.  For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore, let your words be few.  For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.  (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3)

People have this idea that they impress God by a long prayer Mark wrote that some people pray for show and feel that they need to make lengthy prayers in order to make their prayer relevant. Mark writes that this does not impress Him and if a person is using prayer to glorify himself he will be punished.  Depending on the person, he or she could be punished severely. (Mark 12:40).

In Ecclesiastes King Solomon says that some people do this and are not even aware that they are actually doing something that God considers to be evil. The Bible often warns people about proud attitudes. And that is especially important when people pray.   

King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 to  "Walk prudently" which means "watch your moral conduct." Frequently, "hear" is used synonymously with "obey," and the "sacrifice of fools" is allowing fellowship to degenerate into mere socializing, especially in a church setting, without a serious regard toward walking prudently and hearing God.

Hastiness in prayer, speaking fast to save time and get it over with, is speaking ill-considered words before God. Though we pour out a prayer to Him in anguish, we may not think about the possible effects of our words. We can also do this by praying carelessly, ignorant of the seriousness of our communication with God.

In prayer, the scripture tells us to “…let your words be few.” because “…a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” It is more important to have the right attitudes than to say the right words. God already knows what we will ask. And he knows what we really need (Matthew 6:8).

(John W. Ritenbaugh), ( http://usefulbible.com/ecclesiastes/foolish-wise-prayers.htm )

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