Scripture:
Luke 6:37 “Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you.”
Observation:
Heh – another NLT specialty that should really be translated as “don’t condemn” rather than “don’t criticize.” Que sera, sera. Sometime before Christmas break I realized (again) how critical I am and how ugly it is. Every criticism is devoid of grace, compassion, and empathy. Though the verse could be interpreted to mean other people will criticize you, the sentiments themselves tend to just sit, like poison, in my soul resulting in far more retribution than any external result.
Application:
I need to have more grace, more compassion, and more empathy. Though I can’t immediately change my thoughts, I can change whether I express them, and if controlling my tongue is anything like a bit in a horse’s mouth or the rudder of a ship, then hopefully I can change my thoughts.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for being a critical person – redeem me. Please help me control my tongue, and beyond just not being critical, please fill me with grace, fill me with compassion, and fill me with empathy – so much that they overflow.
Scripture:
Luke 6:36 “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Observation:
Luke 6 is just brutal. Christ gives all sorts of warnings, admonishments, and instructions – each indictments of my basic nature. This verse flipped a switch in the way I view compassion. Typically it is referred to as a gift – something God has just given us a natural tendency for (or not). And that’s kind of the end of it for those who don’t feel it naturally. Then we laugh about it. Peoples foibles or rough circumstances are laid out before us and the best we can muster is “Hah – compassion is just not my gift.” That’s not good enough! We are to become compassionate. We are to become godly.
Application:
This is me. I am not a person with the “gift” of compassion (I suppose a predisposition to compassion, and every other holy trait, is indeed a gift). I tend to scoff and mock others misfortune – especially when I deem it is of their own making. This is not acceptable. God is compassionate as a function of His holiness, of his purity of character. I can no longer dismiss this as something God just hasn’t given me, but must integrate it to my character.
Prayer:
Lord, help me love people better. Give me the discipline to build compassion into my soul until it is my gut reaction toward others hardship, even of their own making.
Scripture:
Jeremiah 38:20 – Jeremiah tells King Zedekiah “You won’t be handed over [to die] if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.”
Observation:
Judah is being punished for years of egregious sin against the Lord. King Zedekiah is the lucky leader of the nation when this punishment is taking place – he has done nothing to turn the nation back to God. Yet God offers salvation to this wayward king even as his punishment rains down on Judah. The old testament certainly displays God’s wrath in response to jealousy, protection, and correction of His people. But along with that wrath comes sincere love for his people. Even those who refuse to listen.
Application:
I do not want to need severe correction, but I know that if/when the time comes for an area of my life to be burnt to the ground, I will trust my life to this God who is benevolent even in punishment.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your empathy and your kindness. In times when you offer me a good way to go, please let me take it.
Scripture:
Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (NIV)
Observation:
I have experienced this feeling, and I think it is common to man. Seeing wickedness and iniquity often calluses the heart, even against just one person. As these accounts grow, our indifference becomes more general and widespread. Christ challenges this temptation – Don’t let it happen! Stand firm! Let your love be unconditional. How does God do this?! He sees EVERY act of evil, every injustice, every iniquity – how quickly would my love grow cold.
Application:
I need to guard my heart and not let Christ’s love be quenched by the sin around me, but let it be overwhelmed with compassion, grace, and mercy from God.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for heaving a deep well to which you give us access. Give strength to the leaders who fight against the forces of iniquity, injustice, and every kind of evil. (End of journal entry) Specifically I lift up leaders like Bono and the One campaign, Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission, Wess Stafford of Compassion, and Richard Stearns of World Vision.
Scripture:
Matthew 14:13-14 “As soon as Jesus heard [of John's death], he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Observation:
John’s death was a tragic loss to Christ, the Kingdom, and Jesus’ advancing ministry. The personal grief must have been enormous, so Jesus attempts to find a solitary place to grieve and mourn. Instead he’s followed by a crushing crowd. Despite the heartache Christ must have been battling he is overcome with compassion for these broken people and heals them – a process which is described elsewhere as power going out – I don’t know if this affected Christ, but I know it would’ve been exhausting for me. Christ places others above himself even at what must have been one of the lowest points in his life.
Application:
Others should always be my top concern. Unconditional love applies both to the conditions of the other and to the conditions surrounding me. The state I am in should not effect how much love I show.
Prayer:
I know that when these times come the well of my own love and energy will be far too shallow – please help me depend on your resources.
