What does Isaiah 63:7 teach about God's "compassion" and "abundant kindness"? Opening the Text “I will make known the loving devotion of the LORD and His great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His compassion and the abundance of His loving devotion.” — Isaiah 63:7 Key Words Worth Savoring • Compassion (Hebrew rachamim) – Rooted in a word for a mother’s womb; speaks of tender, deep-felt mercy. • Abundance of loving devotion (Hebrew hesed) – Covenant love; steadfast, loyal kindness that never runs out. What the Verse Tells Us about God’s Heart • God’s kindness is not stingy; it is “abundant.” • His actions toward Israel flow from who He is, not who they are. • Compassion and kindness are inseparable in His dealings with His people. • His past deeds are testimony; recounting them (“I will make known…”) is itself an act of worship. The Pattern Repeated in Scripture • Exodus 34:6 — “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.” • Psalm 103:8-14 — He is “compassionate and gracious… He knows our frame.” • Lamentations 3:22-23 — “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” • Ephesians 2:4-5 — “But God, being rich in mercy… made us alive with Christ.” • Titus 3:4-5 — “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us…” Why This Matters for Us Today • Confidence: His covenant love is as sure now as then; He does not change (Malachi 3:6). • Gratitude: Rehearsing His past acts fuels thankful hearts and steady faith. • Assurance in Failure: Even when we falter, His compassion invites repentance rather than despair. • Motivation to Imitate: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Living in the Flow of His Compassion and Kindness 1. Recall specific ways God has shown you mercy; speak them aloud or write them down as Isaiah did. 2. Let His steadfast love steady you in trials—He loves consistently, not occasionally. 3. Extend tangible kindness to others, mirroring the abundance you have received (Ephesians 4:32). 4. Hold fast to His promises; the same compassionate God of Israel keeps every word to the church today. Closing Thought Isaiah 63:7 lifts our eyes from our frailty to God’s unchanging character: compassion that feels, kindness that acts, abundance that never runs dry. |
    |