Compassion personified?
by Ruth Olsen
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[The Lord who] remains faithful forever … upholds … gives sight … lifts up … loves … watches over … sustains … (Psalm 146:6–9).
Read Psalm 146
Praise the Lord. Hallelu Yah. This is the first of five Hallelujah psalms with which the psalter closes. It’s an exhortation to trust the Lord. Why? He is worthy!
Have you ever needed to tell yourself to focus, get a grip, look up? When things of daily life seem to grind, we need reminders to look up, to remember whose we are and who never leaves us, no matter what things look like or feel like.
In all these things, the Lord often works through people to help, support, encourage and equip us. That can take time, testing our faith, but in the process, developing perseverance and endurance. Why do we need them? So that we stay standing, perhaps (see James 1:2–8; Ephesians 6:10–12)!
It takes courage to stand firm or to get up again when knocked over. But that’s also when we begin to discover the Lord is building his strength into our inner being – his strength that also carries his peace, which transcends our human understanding. His peace settles it (Philippians 4:7)! Why do we need to learn these things? Why, indeed.
We prefer the soft, cushy life. But that makes us soft, cushy people, with no strength, no backbone, no mature growth! As James 1:5 says: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God for it, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given …’ He gives generously, and without finding fault. Do you believe that?
You are precious to the Lord! Jesus gave his life for you! What you think of you is not the issue. What he thinks of you is. His faithfulness is!
Lord Jesus, you are compassion personified! You have told us that you and the Father are one. Your Spirit reveals this truth to our hearts, renewing our minds. Thank you for being here for us – every day! We bless you! Amen.
Because of Ruth’s autoimmune disorder that attacked her kidneys, she and her husband, Steen, have been trained this year in using peritoneal dialysis at home at night. Ruth says this was a very steep learning curve! Other underlying health issues are now also being treated, giving a new lease of life that still needs to be paced. Praise God!
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