When our compassion grows warm, our emotions may overwhelm. I remember church services of old where the altar call effected tremendous emotional release for an individual(s). When sin separates us from precious relationships, God is able to bring reconciliation and comfort. While preaching at the mission a while back, one of the women was struck by a story from the Old Testament and could not stop weeping about her young son. It was the story of Isaac after his mother died. He was blessed with a wife, Rebekah, who would have run tbeir household very similarly to the way Sarah did -since she grew up in the same culture of Abraham and Sarah (the daughter of Abraham’s nephew). This brought great comfort to Isaac in his journey through grief (see Genesis 24:67). When the effect of sin separates us from precious relationships, God is able to bring reconciliation and comfort. – Teresa

Genesis 43: 26-32 (ESV)

26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.”