Compassion

“Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9

The above verse – in a list of various laws and ordinances to the Children of Israel – caught my attention this morning.  The phrase “ye know the heart of a stranger” brought to my memory the times that the Lord has allowed me to experience some things in order to “know the heart” of others going through that same experience and thus have compassion for them.

What about you, this morning? Has the Lord allowed you to experience some trying times? Are you in a season of suffering at this very moment? There is a purpose for this time in your life. A portion of Matthew Henry’s comments on the above verse are as follows:

“You know the heart of a stranger; you know something of the griefs and fears of a stranger by sad experience, and therefore, being delivered, can the more easily put your souls into their souls’ stead.” ~ Matthew Henry

Be assured – if you keep your heart tender during this season of your life, it is no telling what opportunities the Lord will give you to speak a word of encouragement and thus make a difference in another person’s life!

“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” Jude 22