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Tender, Loving, Compassionate, February 8
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15
.
God has ordained according to the law of ministry that we should
comfort one another in tenderness and love when great sorrows come upon
us. No man liveth unto himself. No one dieth unto himself. Life and death
both mean something to every human being.... God has enjoined the duty
upon His human agents to communicate the character of God, testifying to
His grace, His wisdom, and His benevolence, by manifesting His refined,
tender, merciful love.... Jesus ... was ever touched with human woe, and
our hearts should be softened and subdued by His Holy Spirit, that we may
be like Him....
Our work is to restore the moral image of God in man through the
abundant grace given us of God by Jesus Christ. Everywhere we shall find
souls ready to die, and how essential it is that the compassion of Christ
shall be given us of Him, in order that we may never place one soul in
defiance by not manifesting long forbearance and pitying tenderness.... I
inquire, Will we ever learn the gentleness of Christ? Oh, how much we
need to know Jesus and our heavenly Father that we may represent Him in
character! ...
Jesus calls us to Himself not simply to refresh us with His grace and
presence for a few hours, and then to send us forth from His light to walk
apart from Him in sadness and gloom. No, no. He tells us that we must
abide with Him and He with us. Wherever His work is to be done He is
present—tender, loving, and compassionate. He has prepared for you and
me an abiding dwelling place in Himself. He is our refuge. Our experience
should broaden and deepen. Jesus has opened up all the divine fullness of
His inexpressible love, and He declares to you, Ye “are labourers together
with God” (
1 Corinthians 3:9
). O what meaning these words have—“Abide
in me” (
John 15:4
), “Take my yoke upon you” (
Matthew 11:29
). Will we
take it? for the promise is, “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.” There is
rest, complete rest in abiding in Christ
[46]
12
Letter 1a, 1894
.
43