Judges 10:16

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." Judges 10:16 .

We must first have sympathy, then action. Action based on sympathy is likely to be permanent and pure. If we do not see the miseries of mankind we shall not be moved to preach the gospel of salvation or to do the necessary work of mercy. He who denies the existence of poverty will not be likely to become liberal in his donations. He who does not pity the wounded traveller will not be likely to dismount and attend to his wounds. We have learning, genius, eloquence; but what about our grief for the miseries of the world? Men who are moved by sympathy may have to listen to many a bitter tale, and may often have to be shut up in face-to-face communion with scenes that shock and pain the heart. Some men can only see the misery, and then relate it to others, and thus move them with their larger resources to go forth to its relief, or empower agents to represent them in the ministry of help. The first thing we have to do is to consider the length and breadth of the case the case of poverty, oppression, helplessness and then our hearts having become affected by the presence and action of indisputable facts, we are to ask what can be done by way of remedy or redress. "If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? " We do not destroy the miseries of the world by shutting our eyes to them, No man can be truly grieved for the miseries of the world without instantly attempting to mitigate them. He may fail in his attempt, but he will make it resolutely and self-sacrificingly. If we are merely attempting to satisfy the fancies of the world, or gratify the whims of the world, we shall often fail in our service, and continually be disappointed with its results; but if we are fellow-workers with Christ in attempting to relieve the miseries of the world we shall find that the work is its own inspiration and its own reward.