Compassion for the Homeboy
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
Hosea 11:8
God displays His compassion and love toward Israel even when they are rebellious and immersed in idolatry. He recalls how He cared for Israel as a loving father would for his child. Despite the nurture Israel had received from the Lord, they still turned away from Him and worshiped other gods. As a result of their refusal to stop worshiping idols, Israel would face consequences. However, God’s heart remains filled with deep compassion, and He chooses to withhold His anger. He is God, and He chooses not to carry out His fierce anger. He continues to love the Israelites despite their willful disobedience and turning away from the Lord. Eventually, the Israelites will return to the Lord. His compassion is truly amazing, reminding us that it is because He is God, not just an ordinary man. God’s love and forgiveness are everlasting.
A few months ago, Pastor Sang and I attended the City of Torrance’s annual Prayer Breakfast. Many pastors from churches throughout Torrance were invited, and several Christian business leaders were also present. Several pastors prayed for specific topics that were listed, and there were one or two praise songs before a testimony was given.
The testimony was shared by a business owner who used to be a gang member in Los Angeles during his early teen years. He struggled in school and was constantly in trouble. Eventually, he was expelled from school and became heavily involved in gang activities, which landed him in prison.
After being released from prison, he found it nearly impossible to get a job because of his criminal record. He was tempted to return to gang life, as no other opportunities seemed available to him. However, someone gave him the business card for Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit organization started by a Jesuit priest named Gregory Boyle. Its main purpose is to train former gang members who have criminal records in job skills and to support their transition back into regular society.
The man giving the testimony shared how he was initially hesitant but decided to make the call. He was accustomed to rejection, having contacted several companies for work only to be turned down because of his criminal record. When he called Homeboy Industries, the same questions came up:
Have you been convicted of a crime?
Have you been to prison to serve a sentence?
To both questions, he answered yes, and he immediately assumed he would not get the job. To his surprise, the person on the phone said, “Okay, no problem! We can help you out.” He was shocked by this response. When he came to Homeboy Industries, however, he was not the ideal participant. He was openly rebellious and resistant to change and restoration. Yet, despite his initial resistance, Greg Boyle’s love and compassion continued to be extended to him, and Boyle refused to give up. Eventually, the former gang member stated in his testimony that Greg Boyle’s steadfast, compassionate love is what drew him away from gang life and motivated him to take change in his life seriously.
God is steadfast in His compassionate love toward His people, even when they are initially stubborn in their sin and idolatry. He forgives us always. We, too, must have this compassionate and loving heart toward those who have fallen away or are struggling with their faith. Instead of judging them or being condescending, we must approach them with love and compassion. Through this, we trust that God will change their hearts.
Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
Proverbs 14:7-8
When we fear the Lord out of reverence and respect for Him, we will always seek and walk in righteousness. Those that do not love God will seek wickedness and walk in devious ways. Those that are foolish and in sin will say whatever is within his or her heart that comes from a prideful heart. The wise that are walking in righteousness will have their lips sealed and protected.
We as individuals that wish to walk in righteousness need to avoid wrong influences around us that will lead us into the same foolishness they are involved in. We will not find wisdom in those that are fools.
Those that are wise will always be cautious and prudent in giving thoughts to their actions and decisions. Those that are simple will believe in anything. Therefore we must seek wisdom from the Lord to guide us step by step. A quick-tempered person will act and do foolish things but the wise will be patient. The patient will have great understanding but one is impatient and hot-tempered will display foolish deeds.
