1. Compassion in Action Psalm 78:38-39 Ps 78:38-39 But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. 39 Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.

2. The Psalmist numbers God’s blessings to Israel –Israel was delivered from slavery –The Red Sea opened to save them from Pharaoh’s army –They were led by a cloud during the day and a fire at night –Water flowed from a rock in the desert to quench their thirst –Manna fell from heaven to provide them with food. God’s people failed in spite of His faithfulness –Their faith was small in spite of God’s giving His all (Psalm 78:32) –They said good things about God but didn’t walk their talk (v.36) –Their hearts weren’t right, and they disobeyed God’s word (v.37) –They deserved punishment but received compassion What Flows from Compassion? Ps 78:32 In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. Ps 78:36 But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue. Ps 78:37 For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

3. Forgiveness Flows from Compassion “But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity” Consider the compassion of Christ –Jesus had compassion on a hungry multitude and fed them (Mat. 15:32) –Jesus had compassion on two blind men and restored their sight (Matt. 20:34) –Jesus had compassion on a widow and resurrected her son (Luke 7:13- 14) Remember the compassionate Christ on the cross –He forgave those who cursed and crucified Him (Luke 23:34) He was interceding for their transgressions (Isa 53:12) –He forgave a repentant thief during his last moments (Luke 23:43) Christ like people are compassionate…… –Does forgiveness flow from you wherever you go.. Matt 15:32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, " I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." Matt 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. Luke 7:13-14 When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, " Do not weep." 14 And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, " Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves Isa 53:12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors Luke 23:43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

4. Grace Flows from Compassion The Lord didn’t destroy His people –Grace was extended to the undeserving –This applies to our salvation (Eph 2:8-9) –Consider our state without grace (Rom 3:23; 6:23) The Lord turned away His anger –This happened repeatedly (1 st John 1:7-9) –Grace is available to you and me Our compassionate Lord extends grace to all (2 nd Peter 3:9) Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance 1 John 1:7-9 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

5. Understanding Flows from Compassion “He remembered that they were but flesh” –God understands our weaknesses (Heb 4:15) –Compassion makes redemption possible (Phil 2:7) Compassion takes the brevity of life into account (Psalm 90:10) We’re like a wind that passes away Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin Phil 2:6-7 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men Ps 90:10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away

6. God’s Compassion Brings Hope to You and Me How Compassionate Are We?