Core Values - Compassion
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Compassion
Compassion
Do we know that day always follows night? That spring always follows winter? Do we know that trials of life are never the end?
This too shall pass -
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
For Believers, even if the trial last our lifetime, the next life is completely new. Completely REnewed. And free of this world’s problems. But what about for those who dont believe?
For Believers, even if the trial lasts our lifetime, the next life is completely new. Completely REnewed. And free of this world’s problems. But what about for those who dont believe?
Queen Victoria asked for an audience with William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. She asked him the secret of his success. “Some people have a passion for money. Some for things. I have a passion for people.”
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Philippians 1:9-10
Queen Victoria asked for an audience with William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. She asked him the secret of his success. “Some people have a passion for money. Some for things. I have a passion for people.”
Last week Core Value - Integrity. Sin, Suffering, Success.
It is in suffering we so often find the compassion of God and others.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Nothing brings out the compassionate side of me than to know someone is suffering.
NKJV says ‘the end intended by the Lord’.
Suffering, when God is invited in, always moves us toward an intended result. A purpose.
You intended this for evil, but God meant it for good.
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.
2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”
4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.
5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”
6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”
10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.
12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven.
13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
From we have insight to another conversation between God and the accuser. It is definitely a follow-up to the previous. v.3“He still holds fast to his integrity”. You said if I removed the hedge he would curse me.
Skin for skin! Remove more of the hedge and he’ll curse you to your face. Same accusation. Same argument. God allows it.
And in the suffering of Job along with the conversations recorded we see compassion unfold. The compassion of Job as well as the compassion of God.
Compassion in Setting Boundaries
God set boundaries on the accuser. 1st dont touch him. 2nd cant take his life.
Boundaries are designed for our protection.
5 Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
They hem or hedge us in. Surrounded. Protected.
They also keep harm out. ‘There are things out there not meant for you’. Until God removed the hedge, the accuser didnt have access to him.
Sometimes we knock holes in the wall. Sin. Remember, Job had decided what he would do with sin. Turn away.
It is hard for compassion to be the mark of our life when we are distracted by sin.
Compassion in Accomplishing the ‘end intended’
‘Have you set your heart on my servant Job? He is blameless and upright. There is none like him on earth.’ God spoke the truth about Job and that truth didnt change with the circumstances.
Sometimes we act as though ease, success or money will make us a better person. Great 21st century philosopher Herm Edwards says money doesnt make you better. It makes you more of what you already are. If you are already good, money gives you greater capacity to do good. If you are a jerk, money generally makes you a bigger jerk.
A quick look at Job’s life before being tested reveals that he was successful AND compassionate. Ch29:12-17 Ch31:16-23
Job was compassionate and was blessed by the compassion of his God. God reached to where Job was and lifted his head, his heart and his life. And in doing so, generations have marveled at the compassion and mercy of God.
God is ultimately about His own glory. He knows that when He is glorified, mankind is drawn to Him. The best thing that can happen to us is to be drawn to Him. His glory is for our ultimate good.
Compassion in Restoration - Job’s health and family
After the great confession by Job in ch42 we read last week, God restored him. Notice that for restoration to begin, Job had to agree with God. His heart had to be restored first!
God affirmed Job’s defense to Eliphaz, Zophar and Bildad. Restored in the eyes of his friends.
God restored the fellowship and family of Job. 140 more years. 4 generations. Restored his legacy.
God gave back possessions doubled up.
Once our hearts agree with God about whatever we are going through, He is able to restore. And His restoration is “immediate”. Or maybe imminent. The next thing, nothing stopping it.
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his prosperity and doubled his previous possessions.
11 All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances came to his house and dined with him in his house. They sympathized with him and comforted him concerning all the adversity the Lord had brought on him. Each one gave him a qesitah and a gold earring.