Filled with compassion
Leviticus 23:22, ” ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest ; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ ”
God told Moses that when the Israelites were harvesting their fields that they should leave some of it untouched so that needy people, or people who were not with them could be taken care of. God loves and cares for ALL people. He wants us to realize the broadness His love, and we can then take that love and share with those who do not yet belong to His family.
We see this clearly illustrsted in the story of Ruth. Ruth’s husband and sons died, and she thought that she was all alone; but one of her daughters-in-law, Naomi, refused to leave her side. After the death of her husband and sons Ruth left the country that they were living in, and she and Naomi returned to Bethlehem the land where Ruth was originally from. In order to get food Naomi had to glean, or scrape up, the edges of the field of Boaz, Boaz was following the law sent by God in order to care for the needy.
This command by God reminds me of the story in Matthew chapter 15. Matthew 15:21,“Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David ; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”27 But she said, “Yes, Lord ; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great ; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once .”
This woman was not an Israelite, but because of His love for all people Jesus heard, and granted her wish. I am positive, and Biblical evidence tells us that the Israelites thought that they were going to be the only recipients of God’s love. The Israelites were, and are, God’s chosen people; but He has compassion, and is moved by the cry of all peoples.
So, today if you are not a child of God if you call on His name for salvation He will reach down into the miry pit that you may be in, and save you from the grasp of Satan!
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Father, I thank You for loving me regardless of my situation, and sending Your Son to provide for my needs; and rescuing me from an eternity separated from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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The image above can be found at: http://kneelatthecross.com/2010/01/10/compassion-in-witnessing/
Yes, You Can Ministry 