My God and My Country

My Daily Meditation

Today’s Reading

The First Book of Samuel

Chapter 12:14-15, 20-25

Friends;

Last evening, it was impressed upon my mind to think upon the word “compassion”.  Now Webster’s dictionary (Edition 1828),  defines the word compassion thusly;

“ A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it.”

Throughout the Old Testament we find the people of Israel,  wavering in their belief in Him Who had chosen them as His people.  They would serve and rebel, serve and rebel, time and again, and yet still, He would show them compassion, and mercy.  Our God is long suffering, and slow to anger and wrath. But when we rebel, or turn away, He allows us to fall by our own misdeeds.  Quite simply put, when we exclude God, He allows us, to go about our own ways until we realize that our ways have caused us grief.  

But God is not without compassion, in fact, it is one of the best aspects of His character.  For as defined above, he can empathize with our sorrows, even though we’ve brought them upon ourselves.  

14 If ye will fear the Lord and serve him, and hear his voice, and not disobey the word of the Lord, both ye, and the king that reigneth over you, shall follow the Lord your God.

15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but disobey the Lord’s mouth, then shall the hand of the Lord be upon you, and on your fathers.

20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not, (ye have indeed done all this wickedness, yet depart not from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart, (a)

21 Neither turn ye back: for that should be after vain things which cannot profit you, nor deliver you, for they are but vanity.)

22 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great Name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.

23 Moreover God forbid, that I should sin against the Lord, and cease praying for you, but I will show you the good and right way.

24 Therefore fear you the Lord, and serve him in the truth with all your hearts, and consider how great things he hath done for you. (b)

25 But if ye do wickedly, ye shall perish, both ye and your King.

(a) Editor’s notation - Read Luke 12:4-5

(b) Editor’s notation - Read Psalms 77; Psalm 78 ( in particular focus on verses 38-39)