Captivated by His Compassion

I am so captivated by the deep compassion of the Lord. John 11:34-35. And He said, Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord come and see."  (asking Mary and Martha to see the body of Lazarus). He invites us to show Him the places of devastation and grief in our lives. He cares.  He willing goes to the depths with us. I have found that He cares more deeply, more intimately, more tenderly and more personally for me, than anyone else ever could.  That love is what has set my heart free.  Where have you laid him He asks.  How many times have I laid the issues of my heart before Him. And how many times has He brought comfort to my heart.  Through His Word, mainly but He uses other things and people too. But it is Him who guides me through.

So they took Him to the body of Lazarus and He wept.  He weeps with us.  Within that vast, limitless, mighty, all knowing, all powerful God, is sorrow. God with us.  Emmanuel. He came to earth, walked alongside of us and experienced the ravages, the pain, the grief of death and evil.  His human tears are mingled with ours.  When He came to the tomb it says He was agitated, troubled, disturbed (in various translations).  He was bothered seeing death among those He loved.  Which is why He came.  To set us free from that.

Lord, come and see.  Thank you for being with me when I am troubled, sad, upset, confused. Thank you that you see and you are right there with me.  Thank you that you are my Help, that you are moved to tears for your people.  For all mankind.  Day in and day out.

Psalm 108:12-13

Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man. Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He is Who shall tread down our adversaries.

In the Midst of the Depths-Pastureland

He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; 

so He led them through the depths 

as through a pastureland.

Psalm 106:9  amp

I love this, as it is a perfect picture, in one sentence as to what it is to walk through the hard times with the Lord.  The powerful army of Egypt was closing in behind, bent on destruction. And the entire Red Sea was in the way. There was no way to escape. The children of Israel were trapped. Yet God made a way for His people.  He rescued them. And they escaped with the riches of Egypt in their possession. Total provision. What a story. No wonder it is recounted over and over again in the pages of scripture.  God wants us to remember, to know that He is our hero, our Rescuer.

I love this version from the amplified version of the Bible.  Most other versions tell of the path He provided as completely dry.  That in itself is a miracle.  Not one step they took was in water. A path of dry ground in the midst of the sea.  A huge miracle! To see the water ramped up on either side of them as they marched through, only to have it close in behind them to crush their enemy. It had to have been a terrifying experience even as it was for their deliverance, right? 

But this version describes their journey through this "depth" of the sea as a pastureland.  A place of nourishment. A lush, green, peaceful place to graze.  Amazing. But this is how it is. How many times have I journeyed through difficulties, terrified, dismayed, hurt, angry, uncertain etc....the list goes on and on right? Life is so difficult. Yet morning by morning, His mercies are new and He provides His Word, His insight, hope, faith, comfort, encouragement, and yes, conviction and correction.  Grazing in His pastureland, the rich, nourishing, restoring, pastureland of His Word.  In the midst of the depths. 

Thank you Lord.  That Your promise is to never leave or forsake me.  Your invitation is over and over and over again, to come. Thank you for your Word, which brings me hope, healing and love.  Help me Lord to remember. Help me to remember so that I don't turn from You, indifferent. I praise You Lord. Thank You for the pastureland of Love and Grace.