“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty,” – Exodus 34:6-7a ESV
rahum merciful & compassionate – to love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection,
It’s one of three root words that translate as mercy in the OT. This is where we get “tender mercies”
“The personal God has a heart.” – John Barth
This is not a God who has walked away, standing off at a distance, indifferent to our lives.
Even in this moment with Moses, right after seeing His people betray Him, God is saying, “I am merciful-compassionate”.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” – Psalm 34:18
“safe place to find and follow Jesus” our view of God in-person.
“The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said, ‘I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” – Luke 7:12-15
“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” – Matthew 20:34
“Moved with compassion,” From a place of the deepest emotion, taking action for the love of another.
“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” – Matthew 14:14
“I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry,” – Matthew 15:32
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” – Matthew 9:35-38
As we grow in our understanding of Who we worship, we will also grow in effective prayer and spiritual strength.
Merciful Compassionate
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty,” – Exodus 34:6-7a ESV
What do we learn?
God is merciful and compassionate.
What should we do?
- Read these verses and write down what you believe about God.
- Include what you believe about God in your prayer.
- Share what you are learning with someone else.
God, we believe that You see our suffering and that it breaks Your heart. We believe that you are moved with compassion. God, we thank You for the merciful compassion that You have already shown us. Please see the broken state of our world. In Your great merciful compassion please set right the things that are wrong in our neighborhoods and nation. Please help us see where, when, and how You would have us show your merciful compassion.