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Compassion! Focus! Passion!

By Bobbie Jean Merck

       I was awakened with the word compassion and Lamentations 3:22 repeatedly going through my mind.  “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”

            The word recall in verse 21 means make to return to my mind.  Jeremiah was utterly grieved about the unfaithfulness of his people to God.  He thus reminded himself that all the blessings in life come from God’s love, compassion, and mercy.  He kept his focus on God and not on his unfaithful nation. Therefore, he had hope.

            Lamentations 3:21-26 says, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”

            Later, the word focus was going forth in my mind.  I knew the Lord was speaking and the direction was clear.  When we focus on God and His call, will, or direction for our lives, we remain encouraged and full of peace and joy.  The moment we begin to think upon people and problems we lose our hope and passion.  We begin to silently question if we are in God’s will or our own will; or is it worth such frustration and the list goes on. 

            As I meditated on compassion, focus, and passion I continued to see the word compassion in two words - compass and passion.   

Oh, the faithfulness of God!  David praised God for His faithfulness in Psalm 32:7.  He had confidence in his present and future because he knew God’s faithfulness!

 “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7).

God’s faithful compassion was David’s compass in life.  It can and should be our compass also.  This should not only be for us but through us in all our relationships and contact with people.        

Compass means someone or something is enclosed with an enclosing line or boundary.  Therefore, as God’s compassion never fails us, we are enclosed in His protection and preservation.  There is a boundary line around us that evil cannot cross as we remain faithful to God. We are surrounded by His faithful compassion!

By His compassion and mercies His will is accomplished in and through our lives.  Compass also means to accomplish. 

God spoke in prophecy at our New Year’s Conference for 2000 and said He was closing circles of 20 years.  That closing meant that all that was good in 1980 would be complete.  That good was to be carried on, but the bad was to be left behind!

I thought God was only speaking for the year 2000.  However, I have experienced and have seen since then that the circle of 20 years continues to be accomplished in the same manner, even 1986-2006.  I now expect and earnestly look for the continued closing of 20 year circles.  You see, compass means circle, and as we are encompassed about with His compassions, so shall it be!

God compasseth all things by His omniscience.  He is the all-knowing God!  Dear friends, He knew everything about us and every moment of our lives from our beginning to the end in this life.  Yet, He chose us out.  He decided upon us and picked us out.  He selected us!  He prefers and desires us!  Oh, the thought of it! 

To compass about means closeness and to fit perfectly as a crown compasseth the head.  It also means to gird and to be armed. 

First Peter 1:13 is a true exhortation for us to obey.  “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  This happens when we focus on God, His Word and His will!  When we focus on God we will never lose our true focal point.

“…because His compassions (plural) fail not.”  His compassion is merciful and full of grace and favor!

As we focus on God’s faithful compassions we are armed.  We are prepared, ready, and able to “fight the good fight of faith.”  Faith never gives up, never quits, and never gets discouraged because of WHO our faith is in!

Jesus was often moved with compassion which gave assurance to the needy one that they were going to receive His assistance and miracle.  He continued in compassion until He commended His spirit at the cross to His Father.  Compassion took Him all the way!  What a Savior!

What Jesus did on the cross, He has done in me.  Therefore, I am crucified with Christ.  All that God said and Jesus did, I am to apply daily to my life.  God’s Word, work, and will is to be a daily application.

I am determined that it will be so!  This brings us to the word passion.  Passion means powerful emotion and boundless (never ending) enthusiasm.  You will have no limit, no confinement and no restrictions concerning God’s will for your life.  Passion therefore will strengthen you!  Laziness and inertia will never be a problem for you.

Oh!  Hebrews 9:14 will be the road sign in the direction and goal for your life. 

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

            Determination is a vital key!  What are you determined about?  We are to live and walk as Jesus did on the earth and even as He is now.  Jesus accomplished all that He was to accomplish because He was determined.  His reward was great.

            It is written in Romans 1:3-4, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

            The word declared also means determined.  His life on earth was defined by destiny and marked by boundaries.  He could confidently say that no man or devil could take His life.  He was about His Father’s business and determined to not only do it but to finish it!

            Did David have this confidence when he instructed his men to leave the men alone who were persecuting him and even throwing rocks and trying to kill him? Probably so.

            Let us focus on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!  Let the Word, the work, and the will of God for our lives be the center of our interest, activity, and picture in our minds.  Let us be like our Savior and Master and the pioneers who . . .

“Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all the veterans cheering us on?  It means we’d better get on with it.  Strip down, start running – and never quit!  No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  Study how he did it.  Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way:  Cross, shame, whatever.  And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.  That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”  (Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message).

COMPASSION, FOCUS, PASSION!!!

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