Empathy

Daily Reading: Isaiah 63

Scripture Focus: In all their affliction he was afflicted and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63.9)

Devotional Thought: He was professionally successful, respected in the community, and generous with his resources.  He was an astute thinker, processed things quickly, and loved the Lord deeply.  He was the kind of guy any pastor would want to have on his church board—right?

The only problem … he was often forceful with his opinions to where other board members were afraid to speak up.  People with something to add—who could enhance and expand the discussion—many times kept quiet because they were intimidated.  He tended to dominate the conversation and shut down healthy, valuable debate.

For all his wonderful qualities, he lacked empathy—the ability to put himself in the shoes of the other and identify with their thoughts, feelings, and attitudes.  While he had a caring and tender heart, he often came off as cold and lacking concern.

In Isaiah 63.9, the prophet describes the Lord as being distressed when his flock was distressed … as lifting them up and carrying them when they were overwhelmed and/or beaten by life … as reaching out to them in love and mercy and redeeming them from their pain and adversity.  In other words, the Lord has empathy.  Instead of being preoccupied and caught up in his own issues and concerns, he understands and our feelings and relates to us on that basis.

If we are going to be ambassadors of hope and grace to our world, empathy is a big part of the equation.  May we never become so preoccupied and distracted by our own life issues that we can’t effectively enter in to the hurt, pain, and suffering of the folks God brings across our path.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Heavenly Father—thank you for relating to me with empathy and understanding.  Help me stay so close to you so that I can relate to the people in my circle with that same sense of compassion and grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 94.8-15

8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?

9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?

10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge--

11 the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,

13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;

15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.