DAY 18 | The Compassionate God

For the LORD your God is El Rachum (The Compassionate God). He will not abandon you, destroy you, or forget the promise to your ancestors that he swore he would keep.
Deuteronomy 4:31

photography by Meric Dagli / calligraphy by Rita Ip

MUSIC

PRAYER

The Compassionate God, I praise You for You are forever filled and moved with compassion. You delight in showing mercy. You are close to the brokenhearted. You strengthen the weak. You refresh the weary.

I am deeply grateful for Your redemption plan, and it is the ultimate expression of Your divine compassion.

Forgive me if I ever abuse Your mercy and take it for granted. Forgive me when I harden my heart and withhold sympathy from others. Forgive me when I judge who does or doesn't deserve compassion on my own terms.

Lord, I am living in a hurting world full of broken people. I pray that You would clothe me in true compassion, which is not a fleeting emotional response but a firm commitment to reveal Your love through actions.

Because You are The Compassionate God, I declare the same compassion that moved Jesus to die for the undeserving will also propel me into acts of compassion.

A few facts…

El Rachum is also translated as Merciful God.
The word rachum means compassion (in the plural) and the womb (as cherishing the fetus).
The root word of rachum refers to the deep love rooted in a natural bond (such as childbirth).

Exercise 1:

TWO-WAY JOURNALING

In your place of solitude, sit in a comfortable position. Relax and prepare your heart to encounter Him.

Smile and breathe. Smile, His compassion flows like a river into the lowest places in your life. Gently and deeply inhale into your lower belly, as you receive His grace and mercy. Hold your breath for a few seconds, and acknowledge that His mercies never fail, and never depend on your worthiness. Slowly exhale through your mouth, a bit longer than you inhale, and let go of your brokenness or any negative feelings.

Today, we are going to write to The Compassionate God. Let’s pray that He will still your soul, tune out the noise, and guide you to His heart. Let’s see where He’s taking you today. Write down your conversation with Him in your journal.

[Part 1]
Dear Father / The Compassionate God, …
[Part 2]
Dear child / (your name), …

• Recount your own experience of His compassion.

• Talk to Him about situations or areas that need a touch or an outpouring of His compassion.

• Ask Him how you may feel His compassion for yourself and others.

• Ask Him to reveal to you someone who needs your act of kindness.

Check out Appendix 2 for more.

Exercise 2:

DECLARATION

He is The Compassionate God. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. How does this relate to the way you live today? In your journal, write down your declaration.

Because You are The Compassionate God, I declare I can / I will / I am…

Read your declaration out loud to God and yourself. Repeat a few times, slowly and with great certainty. Say it like it is real, like it is already happening. Train your heart to agree with your declaration. Move past unbelief and establish yourself in a position of faith.

This completes Day 18 of HE, thank you for joining me. Today, I pray that your life will be continually touched, transformed, and marked by His love and compassion.