God’s Gracious & Compassionate Nature

When you think of God’s attributes and qualities, what comes to mind?

Though there are many characteristics of the Lord that could undoubtedly be highlighted, I want to remind you today of God’s gracious and compassionate nature.

Toward the end of the 6th century B.C., the prophet Joel received a message from God for his people. Waves of locusts had swept through the land of Israel, stripping it of its vegetation (1:4) and devastating the country. Joel called on the people to fast and mourn (1:13–14) in repentance because the locusts were merely a foreshadowing of imminent divine judgment (1:15), just as the locust plague had been in Egypt (Exodus.10–11).  No doubt, Joel was aware of the words of Deuteronomy 28:38–42 which warned that a locust plague would accompany divine judgment.

So, the Lord urges his people, through the prophet’s call, saying, “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” (2:12). Joel pleaded with his people saying, “Rend your heart…return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (2:13).
The prophet encouraged the people by reminding them of God’s “gracious and compassionate” nature which causes him to be patient and extend forgiveness when we cry out to him for mercy.

Five hundred years or so later the apostle Peter would say that the Lord is “patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He has made the provision for our sins to be forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. And having raised Jesus physically from the grave, God extends the same offer to us today, so that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom.10:13) from God’s wrath and judgment.
God is truly gracious and compassionate. This is seen not only in the fact that he shows us mercy—not giving us what we deserve—but also in the fact that he extends us grace—giving us what we don’t deserve. 

This is seen clearly in Joel 2:25 where the Lord tells his repentant people, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” God promised to restore the crops that the locusts had devoured. And though our circumstances may be different, I believe there is a principle in that word from God: Because God is gracious and compassionate, he restores and redeems us.

Maybe you feel as though “locusts” have made a mess of your life. Maybe the “locusts” of bad decisions, wasted time, sinful pursuits, and selfish ambition have caused untold damage. Perhaps you’ve wasted many months and years in ungodly pursuits. God can restore and redeem your future so long as you return to him with all your heart. Maybe it’s a marriage relationship that is broken and hurting. God can restore and redeem it so long as you and the other party return to him with all of your heart. Maybe sickness and disease have stolen your joy and robbed you of your dreams. God can restore and redeem that too. God is gracious and compassionate.

Why don’t you take a few minutes to turn your heart upward to the gracious and compassionate one who alone can meet your deepest needs and restore and redeem your deepest losses.