COMPASSION

^[p. 165] COMPASSION

I think we can always count on God’s compassion, and I remark that some of us derive no benefit from the trials they are passing through, because they do not look to God in them. Neither His compassion, His mercy, nor the sympathy of Christ is known by them. You see different people passing through very similar sorrows; some are hardened by them, others are mellowed and helped on. Among men we see the same thing in another way. Those who suffer without anyone feeling for them grow hard and bitter; those who meet with kindness and sympathy are softened and subdued by their sorrows.

In Psalm 107 you will remark that, though the cause for the discipline was different in each case, there was no relief until they cried unto the Lord; then their souls were looking for mercy and compassion - they are heard and they are answered!

It is always God’s purpose to exalt us; if night overtakes you here, it is only a prelude to the day, so that in principle it is always the “evening” and the “morning” are the day!

I wonder we are not more in prayer, seeing what relief and deliverance we get through it; not, as I may say, from the act of praying, but I believe what is in your heart to pray about indicates what God is preparing for you. Like Daniel, when he knew the seventy weeks were fulfilled, he began to pray. I suppose the more spiritual one is, the more one would get into the intercession of the Spirit, into what He is interceding for for us.

Holiness would be the ‘unvarying rule’, because in discipline we must be in God’s separation, in order to see with God, and to walk with Him. And the more we see this, the more we enjoy it.

What could be comparable to a scene apart from every shade of defilement, and we in it with full ^[p. 166] intelligence and suitability to it? You could not conceive perfect beauty apart from purity, and our power now is according to the measure of our separation.

The reason we do not attract souls is that we are not separate enough.

Genesis 26, When Isaac separated from Gerar the king followed him, for he saw that God was with him.