Day 220

Jeremiah 8:4-11:23.  “A Broken Heart”

         “Do not be afraid of showing your affection.  Be warm and tender, thoughtful and affectionate.  Men are more helped by sympathy, than by service; love is more than money, and a kind word will give more pleasure than a present.” - John Lubbock (1834-1913)
         The illustration today is that of a broken heart (8:18).  We know what that depicts.  It’s not really broken, but it really hurts.  Jeremiah witnessed the sorrow of his nation and Jeremiah felt their sorrow as though it was his own.  Judah had turned from God and was reaping the penalty.  Although he knew the reason for it, Jeremiah still had compassion for the suffering. 
         Sympathy and compassion are attributes every Christian should possess.  Halford Luccock, defined sympathy as “your pain in my heart.”  How genuinely do you feel the pain of others?  When was the last time you wept over someone?
         “Sympathy is a virtue unknown in nature.” - Paul Eipper (1891-1964)
         “Next to love, sympathy is the divinest passion of the human heart.” - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?