The sermon series at our church right now is focused on character traits of God as seen in Exodus 34. Today’s topic was “compassion,” as declared by the LORD of Himself in verse 6 – “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and merciful, . . .” There is so much to this verse, this passage, but I will stick to the topic at hand.
In the message this morning, Pastor Trevor used the expression, “disposition of compassion.” I love this! For those who know me, you know I am “a dog person.” When talking about dogs, sometimes it is asked, what is their disposition? What is their personality like? For people, Oxford Dictionary refers to this as “inherent qualities of mind and character.” This brings up another word, “inherent.” Hmmm . . . “Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute” (also Oxford). Pastor Trevor mentioned how compassion can seem so far from our present culture. Unfortunately, this often includes those professing the name of Christ as well. Let’s face it, in ourselves, it is hard to want to be compassionate when it feels like everyone around us is just looking out for their own best interest and fighting for their own truth to be heard.
Recent months have seen many people in the news or on social media who refer to themselves or are known as “Christians,” and yet they seem to be missing the point. John says, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another” (13:35). The Early Church grew like wildfire in the midst of social ridicule and physical persecution because they were “distinct” – different, set apart. They had something to offer that was not present in their culture.
Please know, this is not a guilt trip – I am the first one to admit that I am challenged when it comes to loving people – I am so grateful that “He is mindful that we are nothing but dust” (Ps 103:14b), but in that, we can present ourselves to the world in great humility, with a “disposition of compassion” that reaches out to those who are behaving as is expected because they do not know the Savior – but we do! We can choose to be different both in our compassion – because we have been forgiven by One who is perfect – and in our choice to live lives that are distinct, “holy,” set apart.
And by the way, the entirety of the verse and the one preceding God’s mercy on our “dust-ness”? “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our form; He is mindful that we are nothing but dust” (Psalm 103:10-14 NASB).
Denise Travanti 