Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Compassion in Action

Bible Reading: Ruth 1:1-17

Key verse:  

V 8 : “Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lorde show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me”.

DEVOTION


A famine forces Naomi, her husband Elimelek and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, to leave Bethlehem (the house of bread) to Moab, a foreign land. At Moab although they found food and shelter tragedy hit the family; Elimelek died and Naomi was left with her two sons.  The sons married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they have lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law. Although Elimelek and family went to Moab on their own without seeking God’s counsel, God did not forget Naomi. At the right time God gave Naomi the good sense to return to Judah. The grace of God ultimately restores us even when we make bad choices in our life, just like Naomi and family. The book of Ruth is a classic example of God’s Compassion in Action; restoration, kindness and his unconditional love.
 
When Naomi heard (vs6) that the famine in Bethlehem is over and that the Lord God has provided food, she decides to return home. Naomi begins the journey, and her daughters-in-law initially walk with her. Then as we see in verse 8, Naomi urged the daughters-in-law to return to their mother’s home. After some persuasion, Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and went back, but Ruth clung on to her. Ruth, refuses to let Naomi travel alone in her bitterness and grief. Just like Naomi and Ruth, we live in a world marked by unexpected trials, tribulations, heartaches and losses. When we go through such situations do we see a lifeline? Compassion means noticing the pain of those around us, even when our own plates are full. True compassion is not just sending a “thinking of you” or “praying” for you note or text message from a safe distance. Genuine compassion requires us to walk alongside the vulnerable, the brokenhearted, and the outcast; even when the journey is messy, uncomfortable and unbearable. Compassion does not have an expiration date. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was not a temporary gesture, it was a lifelong vow and that is compassion in action. This also illustrates the enduring, unending and faithful nature of God’s love.
 
As we read in Deuteronomy chapter 30 vs 2-3 “when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything, I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.” Restoration is possible when we confess our sins and return to the Lord. In Matthew chapter 14 verses 13-21 we see Jesus’ compassion towards the people which culminated in feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.
 
Ruth left the comfort of her home and her culture to care for a grieving mother-in-law. Ruth’s act of compassion did not just ease Naomi’s burdens, it set the stage for her to become the great grandmother of King David and ultimately, an ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Our acts of compassion today ripple into eternity. Ruth did not just feel bad for Naomi, she chose to act. As followers of Jesus Chrit, we are called to be a community of compassion.
 
We are called to embody the unconditional love of Jesus Christ by being his hands and feet. Let us look for practical ways to show compassion and kindness. Whether it is bringing a meal to a grieving neighbor, simply holding hands and sitting in silence with someone who is hurting, our action can be the turning point in someone’s life and future. God has shown kindness and compassion to each one of us, let us extend the same kindness and compassion to those in need.
 

PRAYER

"Dear Lord, give us the courage to be your hands and feet for those who are hurting. Help us to show kindness and compassion to others. Amen.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." – Mother Teresa



 
Mathew K. Lukose

Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Dallas

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