Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 February 2023 | Devotional

193

Today’s Topic: Challenges to Being Compassionate

Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, may the entrance of your word bring light and life to all I will do today.

Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 3: Is there any command for me to obey?

Outline For Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 February 2023

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes (v.1) and so decided to meet the physical needs of these people who had gathered to listen to His words/teachings. Read vs.2-4 and compare the response of the disciples and that of Jesus to the needs of the people (cf. 6:35-36). Jesus is still moved today with deep sympathy for the needs of people. Being compassionate, however, becomes challenged when we focus on what is not readily available, our inadequacy, and challenges. We must trust God to bless the work of our hands in order to become a blessing to others in need.

Like what they did in chapter 6, the disciples again picked up the broken pieces and filled up seven baskets. This again re-emphasizes the need to properly manage both plenty and scarcity. Wastage during harvest time often leads to serious lack later.

The Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven (from God) just to tempt Christ (vs.11-12). Do you also set up situations for people just to trap them? See Matthew 12:38-40. Jesus’ resurrection is the strongest proof of His Messiahship. This is the strongest sign today.

• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer
Ask God to give you a compassionate heart and the willingness to meet the need of the helpless.

NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN

PRAYER FOCUS: SATISFIED WITH JESUS
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is the fullness of joy. – Psalm 16:11

THANK GOD FOR:
► His promise to continue to guide and satisfy our desires as we remain in Him, faithfully depending on Him.
► God’s plan to satisfy all who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

PRAY FOR:
► Grace to daily delight in the Lord our God as we pray, sing and continue to rejoice in Him.
► Deliberate decision to remain content with our God and all He supplies us with daily.
► Spiritual and physical strength to seek His kingdom and righteousness and believe Him to add all He has in mind to our lives.
► The Nigerian voters that they preserve their votes.

PRAY AGAINST:
► Being ungrateful, counting other people’s blessings and not our own.
► Looking around wanting people to supply our every need instead of looking up to God to direct us.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 17:4

One Year Bible Reading Plan
Leviticus 6,7, John 3

Thanks for reading Today’s Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 February 2023 | Devotional