Listen

All of you who revere the Lord—praise him! All of you who are Jacob’s descendants—honor him! All of you who are all Israel’s offspring—stand in awe of him! Because he didn’t despise or detest the suffering of the one who suffered—he didn’t hide his face from me. No, he listened when I cried out to him for help.

Psalm 22:23-24

Think

The psalmist calls upon everyone who reveres and honors the Lord to be filled with wonder at God. These verses portray a compassionate God who doesn’t turn a blind eye to suffering. Instead, God inclines an ear to the cries of distress, revealing God’s unwavering attentiveness and care. This depiction reassures us that even in our most trying moments, God remains present, offering solace and understanding.

Receiving God’s compassion involves acknowledging God’s tender and watchful care over every aspect of our lives. Believing in this compassionate nature means placing our trust in the unwavering love of a God who hears and deeply cares for us, especially in our darkest moments. It’s an invitation to stand in reverent awe of a God who draws near to us in our times of pain, never abandoning us in our suffering and distress.

Dihanne Moore

Question to Ponder:
How does knowing God’s compassionate nature impact the way you perceive suffering or hardships in your life or in the lives of others?

Pray

Dear God, help me recognize and embrace your compassionate nature, believing that you listen to my cries for help in times of need. Let your presence be my solace and strength. Amen.

Go

Lord God, you created heaven and earth by your great power and outstretched arm; nothing is too hard for you!

Jeremiah 32:17