This is a pointed way in which to begin a verse–“At that time Jesus declared.” If you look at the context you will realize that no one had asked Him a question and that He was not in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus declared, I thank you, Father.” When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had been speaking to Christ? His Father.
Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance peculiar enough to be recorded. It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God.
Let us then learn the lesson that this simple statement concerning Him teaches us. May we also enjoy silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we answer Him, and although our friends don’t know to whom we speak, we will be responding to that secret voice that they do not hear but that our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy.
God has spoken to us; let us speak to God–either to affirm that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy that God’s providence has given, or to express agreement with the great truths that God the Holy Spirit has revealed to us.
Intimate communion with the Father of our spirit is a great privilege! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend does not interfere. If we desire to hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fit to listen to His voice. This very evening may our hearts be in such a condition, so that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer Him.
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Do you hear what the psalmist is saying? The rulers of the earth gather together and say, “We don’t want our plans and purposes to be inhibited by God’s plans and purposes. Let’s ignore what God wants and do it our way.” It’s not a new thing. It was true in the days of the psalmist, and it’s true today. The rulers of the earth imagine that their power and their will and their determination solely direct the course of human history. And the Bible gives us God’s response. He chuckles and says, “You think so?” It’s very easy for us to get caught up in the news of world affairs and forget that Almighty God is not an absentee landlord. Yes, He sits enthroned in heaven, but He is intimately involved in our world.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not just aware of what is happening in the earth, but You are actively involved in bringing about Your purposes. Give us strength to look to You, Lord, as we look expectantly to that day when You will be revealed in all of Your glory. May we be found faithful until that day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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And Psalm 138:3 TPT assures us that “At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me! You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me.”
Friends, our urgent voice can move God’s heart to extend mercy to us straightaway (Ps. 140:6 TPT).
In His mercy, God keeps reviving us by His might (Ps. 138:7).
God’s Word says, “He is so rich in compassion and mercy” (Eph. 2:4) and extends it according to His will (Rom. 9:15).
We know that the crossover to deeper compassion begins at the cross, the place of intersection where we exchange our limitations for His more beautiful betrothal.
Yes, God betroths us in compassion, which moves us toward faithfulness to His covenant (Hos. 2:19–20).
As His redeemed, we are seated and baptized in mercy. We are established in victory. After repentance, we are positioned to receive His best profitability, and we are re-launched (established).
So, times of refreshing come after our repentance, after we turn away from our way and return to His (Acts 3:19-21).
Consider the prodigal son (Lk. 11-32).
Upon his turn from the pig pen to home, His father was compassionate—deeply moved in His inward parts—to restore him to grace and truth. This story illustrates our Heavenly Father’s compassionate love for us, where He leans toward us (Eph. 2:8) and even runs to us.
As we run to God, He runs to us.
Luke 15:20 TPT says, “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. So, the father raced out to meet him. He swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.
In Psalm 69:16 TPT King David echoes this same precept by saying, “Oh, Lord God, answer my prayers! I need to see your tender kindness, your grace, your compassion, and your constant love. Just let me see your face, and turn your heart toward me. Come running quickly to your servant. In this deep distress, come and answer my prayer.”
Friends, God literally “waits on high to have compassion on you” (Is. 30:18).
The moment we call out to Him, He answers.
God doesn’t leave us at dirty, guilty or ugly. He removes our sins. He redeems our “life from the pit and crowns” us “with love and compassion” (Ps. 103:4).
So, compassion is a crown.
God gives us beauty for the ashes we once endured, even if we caused them.
God is especially merciful toward the sins of our youth.
In Psalm 25:6, 11 TPT, King David prays, “Forgive my failures as a young man, and overlook the sins of my immaturity. Give me grace, Lord! Always look at me through your eyes of love—your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion. When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for. How good you are to me! For the honor of your name, Lord, never count my sins, and forgive them all—lift their burden off of my life! Come closer to me now, Lord, for I need your mercy” (Ps. 25:16).
Matthew 11:28 TPT asks, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.”
In His Presence, God lifts heavy burdens off of us, pours out His blessings upon us and strengthens our soul (Ps. 138:3).
He transforms our lives as He brings us from darkness into His marvelous light.
Psalm 110:3 TPT assures us that “…in the brightness of your holy ones You will shine as an army rising from the womb of the dawn, anointed with the dew of your youth!”
Friends, God will fulfill the desires and dreams He put in us long ago, even ones we first knew were there in our teen years.
Psalm 126:4 TPT assures us, “Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.”
God knows just how to do it right. He remembers His promises and is faithful to fulfill them in His time and way.
So, it’s important to seek God, forgive ourselves and others, and receive His times of refreshing.
David intimately knew the life-restoration of God’s compassionate forgiveness.
Psalm 130:4 says, “But your forgiving love is what makes you so wonderful. No wonder you are loved and worshiped!”
David knew God’s compassion for his revival. He said, “By your mighty power I can walk through any devastation and you will keep me alive, reviving me…” (Ps. 138:7 TPT).
David knew God as His only hero-source for rescue, as the provider of the ransom price for God’s people (Ps. 25:15, 17, 21-22).
Jesus was filled with compassion at the sight of wandering sheep (Mk. 6:34). He was and is gentle to the ignorant (Heb. 5:2). He restrains wrath and shows mercy (Ps. 78:38). He is the balanced mediator, the light in the darkness who forgives sin when we repent (Titus 3:4-5).
With Him, there is only ultimate victory.
There is no pain in His tangible Presence.
With Him, there is no victimhood in compassion, because He dissolves pain and restores us from a place of victory.
As the author and the finisher, God offers us a full, complete healing experience beyond the pain of sin, trials, and testing to higher ground. So, He included the elements of breakthrough and completion in His great and tender compassion.
God desires to show us the pleasant part of John 10:10. The part that says, “I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!”
Beloved, we can experience a fresh start, a new beginning that will lead to exponential blessings for us and beyond us as we continue to lean into our compassionate God and follow His lead.
Psalm 126:5-6 TPT assure us, “Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!”
Pray with me if you will…
Lord, “I bow down before your divine presence and bring you my deepest worship as I experience your tender love and your living truth. For the promises of your word and the fame of your name have been magnified above all else!” (Ps.138:2). “May my voice move your heart to show me mercy” (Ps. 140:6).
I lay down every idol of unforgiveness toward myself and others. I choose to put Your way above my own. I invite You to rid me of any and all hindrances to Your great and tender mercy and compassion. If there is any wrongdoing in me that I need to repent of, please reveal it to me, so that times of refreshing may come to me. “Enrich my soul” in You, Lord, and “refresh my heart” in You (Ph.1:20).
Thank You that Your “Light shines in the darkness for good people, for those who are merciful, kind, and just” (Ps. 112:4 GNT). Thank You that “At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me! You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me” (Ps. 138:3).
Thank You for Your work of compassion in me that makes me useable for service in kindness without cruelty (Ps. 139:5). Thank You for clothing me in Your compassion so I can show mercy toward others, as You have shown it toward me (Col. 3:12, Lk. 6:36). Thank You for finishing the work You have begun in me (Ps. 138:8). Thank You for crowning me with Your compassion.
Thank You for establishing (re-launching) me in greater blessings to be a blessing to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God’s Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God’s greatest power source – the love of Christ. This devotional was adapted from Margaret’s forthcoming book, Enduring Grace. All rights reserved.
