(Psalm lxxviii. 38.) God is indeed full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (Psa. lxxxvi. 15.) There is no sin, however deadly, below the reach of the Divine compassion; no sinner beyond the confines of Divine mercy.
Were the multitude fainting for want of heavenly knowledge?—Jesus was moved with compassion, and supplied their wants. (Mark vi. 34.) He does so now, and by his Word guides into all truth. Did the multitude, hungry and fainting, desire food?—Jesus was moved with compassion, and miraculously fed them to the full. (Mark vi. 39-43.) This was a great miracle in the eyes of men: but what is the feeding of a few thousands once, to that mighty miracle which the God of heaven performs momentarily in supplying sustenance for his wide creation? Jesus, while in the world in his humanity, fed the hungry, cleansed the lepers, cured the lame, dumb, and blind, and raised the dead, to shew that He is always doing "greater things than these." Jesus, the bread of life, still feeds daily the countless millions with his love and goodness: this is the true bread that now cometh down from heaven. O Father, "Give us this day our daily bread." As thou, gracious Lord Jesus, hast compassion on all, so teach us to shadow forth thy love by being of one mind, having compassion one to another. (1 Pet. iii. 8.)
O reader, rise from the grave of sin and death; shun all evil as sin, and follow with joy the truth; so will you not cause Jesus to weep, but to lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and to guide your footsteps in the way of peace.
