*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 2019* *THE WELL OF COMPASSION* TEXT: MATTHEW 15:32-39.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 2019*

*THE WELL OF COMPASSION*

TEXT: MATTHEW 15:32-39.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way" (MATTHEW 15:32)._

Many pastors took turns to minister to a condemned criminal. They preached to him in an attempt to win him to Christ. But the condemned man was unmoved by their "powerful" preaching. At last, a layman visited the man. He entered the death row cell, sat on the camp bed with him, took him by the hand and said, "We are in a bad fix, aren't we?" For that gesture, the condemned criminal broke into tears and shortly after, yielded to Christ. Compassion prevailed. The man was in need of somebody who would understand and care.

It is important to consider the attitude of Christ and His motivation for the miracle in our text. His statement in today's key verse is instructive. The people had had no regular meal through the three days they had been seeking Him in His solitude on the mountain. Christ's attitude just speaks volumes about our need to have compassion and empathy in our quest to win the unconverted to Christ.

We must learn to feel for people in their plight. Our compassion must be deep enough to compel helpful action. Love and kindness are cardinal ingredients in a Christian's makeup. Compassionate action is a language people understand faster than religious jargons. Observe also that the feeding of the people was not the goal of the occasion - the people had continued with Christ for three days feeding on God's word. We must go beyond the satisfaction of the people's physical and material needs to meeting their spiritual needs.

As you reflect on the response of Christ in today's text, think of what you can do to compassionately solve the spiritual and physical problems of people around you.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* To be unfeeling is the most dangerous spiritual state for a Christian.

COVER TO COVER: ZECHARIAH 6-9.

*MEDITATION:*

Are you a sincere seeker?

*1. The noble seekers*
a. They travelled far to the wilderness in order to hear from Jesus v33.
b. Their priority was not their convenience but just to hear Jesus speak v33.
c. They endured hunger for 3 days willingness and happily just to have the touch of Jesus v32.
d. They were not looking for ephemeral things from Jesus but just to hear Jesus speak and experience His touch.
e. They concentrated and stayed with Jesus throughout despite hunger and inconveniences. They were not searching for or complaining of food in the wilderness v32.
*Q* Can you qualify yourself as a sincere seeker?
*Q* Are you planning to attend the retreat even though your conveniences may not be fully guaranteed?
*Q* Lord, give me the attitude and the heart of a true seeker🙏
*Q* Lord, I ask that the attitude of these noble seekers in the text will characterize every participant🙏
*2. Sure blessings that followed true and sincere seekers*
a. Manifestations of all forms of miracles for all vv30,31.
b. Miraculous provision of physical needs without asking for them vv33-36.
c. Abundant inexhaustible supply vv37-39.
d. Reception of compassion and mercy of Jesus v32.
*Lord*, make the retreat a visitation time for all🙏
*Lord*, descend in your power and compassion to meet every need at the coming retreat🙏
*Lord*, give me a heart of compassion like Jesus and teach me to put myself in the shoes of others🙏

HYMN: Show a little bit of love and kindness

1. Sing a song, Sing a song; Spread some cheer, Spread some cheer
There are sad and lonely faces every where...
Be a friend, Be a friend; Show some love, Show some love
It will lift them from the dungeons of despair.

Chorus
Show a little bit of love and kindness,
Never go around with hatred's blindness
Take a little time to reach for joy and wear a happy face...
Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,
Offer little help to a friend who's weary
That's the way to make the world a happy place.

2. Offer help, Offer help; Bring some hope, Bring some hope
To the fainting and discouraged on life's road;
See a need, lend a hand,
There are many who are crushed beneath their load.

3. Be a light, show the way,
Be a light within the night for those astray;
Speak a word, loving word,
That will bring them back to walk the narrow way.