I remember it like yesterday: Professor Joe Master was the most intimidating instructor I ever encountered during my accounting degree. He’d call on you, and you’d better be ready. At one point, for six weeks, I was sicker than a dog. With temperatures over 102 (and eventually discovering I had pneumonia), I went to class every week, dreading whether Mr. Master would get me up in front of the class to answer a tough question. Then this professor did something unexpected: He never called on me once. He showed me compassion when I needed it most. Life has a way of bringing us to desperate places where we question if God cares about our pain or our struggle. Writing about this kind of grief and pain, the weeping prophet Jeremiah makes a declaration that you need to hear today: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22 –23, NIV). When you’re at the end of your rope and maybe even at the end of your hope, remember this truth: Your God is the God of compassion.