December 24 Devotion - Being Compassionate

For many people, The Christmas Season and the New Year celebrations are connected to sad or lonely feelings. Maybe associated with loss situations, broken dreams, and aloneness. Maybe some of you reading this devotion associate this time of year with some pain. For many this Christmas season is going to be a lonely one, especially for those living alone. I know how that feels. We need to be aware and supportive of others during this festive season.

 

I searched the Bible for God’s relief, compassion, and support for my and your scarred hearts and spirits and found God telling us:

 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 

 

The Lord is near to you because you have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. 

Psalm 34:17-18

 

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

 2 Corinthians 12:9

  

All things will work together for good for you because you love God,

Romans 8:28  

 

Make sure to rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

  

أَلَمْ آمُرْكَ؟ إِذَنْ تَقَوَّ وَتَشَجَّعْ، لَا تَرْهَبْ ولا تَجْزَعْ لأَنَّ الرَّبَّ إِلَهَكَ مَعَكَ حَيْثُمَا تَتَوَجَّهُ».

يَسْتَغِيثُ الأَبْرَارُ، فَيَسْمَعُ لَهُمُ الرَّبُّ وَيُنْقِذُهُمْ مِنْ جَمِيعِ ضِيقَاتِهِمْ. 18 الرَّبُّ قَرِيبٌ مِنْ مُنْكَسِرِي الْقَلْبِ، وَيُخَلِّصُ مُنْسَحِقِي الرُّوحِ..

فَقَالَ لِي: «نِعْمَتِي تَكْفِيكَ، لأَنَّ قُدْرَتِي تُكَمَّلُ فِي الضَّعْفِ!» فَأَنَا أَرْضَى بِأَنْ أَفْتَخِرَ مَسْرُوراً بِالضَّعَفَاتِ الَّتِي فِيَّ، لِكَيْ تُخَيِّمَ عَلَيَّ قُدْرَةُ الْمَسِيحِ.

وَإِنَّنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللهَ يَجْعَلُ جَمِيعَ الأُمُورِ تَعْمَلُ مَعاً لأَجْلِ الْخَيْرِ لِمُحِبِّيهِ، الْمَدْعُوِّينَ بِحَسَبِ قَصْدِهِ.

افْرَحُوا عَلَى الدَّوَامِ؛ 17 صَلُّوا دُونَ انْقِطَاعٍ؛ 18 ارْفَعُوا الشُّكْرَ فِي كُلِّ حَالٍ: فَهذِهِ هِيَ مَشِيئَةُ اللهِ لَكُمْ فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ.

وَسَلامُ اللهِ، الَّذِي تَعْجَزُ الْعُقُولُ عَنْ إِدْرَاكِهِ، يَحْرُسُ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَأَفْكَارَكُمْ فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ.

 

 

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for knowing every emotion I go through and for having an answer and support for me today. Strengthen me Lord to be of good courage. Thank You Lord that during my period of weakness Your strength is made perfect. Help me Lord to pray continuously and to always have an attitude of gratitude. I rejoice in the assurance that You are with me God wherever I am, that all things will work together for good for me, and that I will rejoice because Your peace God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus; in whose holy name I pray. To Jesus be the power, the glory, the majesty, and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In Him,

Wagdi Henein