Devotions: Promised Compassion

if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to You toward their land which You have given to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name; then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Your dwelling place, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You, and make them objects of compassion before those who have taken them captive, that they may have compassion on them

1 Kings 8:48-50 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

These verses are part of Solomon’s prayer of dedication after he finished building the temple and brought the Ark of the Covenant into its rightful place. It was almost prophetic, for he prayed that “when” the people sinned and turned away from God, he asked that God would have compassion on them. He acknowledged in his prayer that the result of the people’s sin would be oppression and exile, something which would culminate several hundred years later. Even though Solomon could see the inevitable waywardness of his nation (and himself), he also saw the overarching grace and love of God. He knew that God was above all loving and merciful. Even though God punishes sin, He is slow to anger. He is longsuffering and waits for His people to repent. He does not act rashly or under emotion. His first reaction is love and grace. And even when His anger has been aroused and punishment ensues, He will relent. He does not desire destruction, nor enjoy punishment. He willingly turns aside His wrath for the sake of true repentance. He will have compassion, and He will cause others to have compassion on His people. This especially played out in the life of Jehoiachin, one of the last kings of Judah. Thirty seven years after they were taken into exile to Babylon, the new king had compassion on Jehoiachin and treated him as a visiting dignitary the rest of the days of his life. Several years later, the reigning kings allowed and even funded efforts to restore Jerusalem and the temple. Ultimately, this is shown in the salvation brought by Jesus Christ. No matter our waywardness, salvation is never beyond our reach. No one is without hope of forgiveness. If we genuinely repent, admit our wrong and turn from our sins, He will forgive us and restore our relationship with Him. He will make us objects of compassion. Have you turned to God with your whole heart and soul?