Day 9 – Empathy

Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief.

• God’s names:
• Yeshuwa – Jesus
• JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal
• Elohiym – Supreme God
• Theos – Supreme Divinity
• Iesous – Jesus
• Huios of Theos – Son of God

• God’s character:
• Empathy
• High Priest
• Mercy
• Grace

People face many situations, good and bad. Yet their life demands they need to put on a good face in the middle of tragic circumstances. They laugh when they want to cry.

Solomon had a proverb for every situation in life because he faced those situations daily. He needed to show strength to his people in the middle of bad situations. He knew how to put on a good face, laugh when he wanted to cry, show mirth when he wanted to grieve. It was part of being a king and ruler over JEHOVAH’S people.

When you became a Christian Satan went on the warpath, causing you as much hardship as possible. Not only are you to bring your petitions to Yeshuwa, but you are also to bring your requests to fellow Christians so they can empathize with you, and together you can defeat Satan’s plans against you.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans told them they were to rejoice and weep with their fellow Christians when Satan came against them.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NKJV)

The early church faced persecution and hardship. Paul faced many trials in his missionary journeys. Imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, yet he never gave in to weeping and despair. Instead, through his circumstances, he showed the early church how to persevere in hardship, to rejoice in the middle of their pain, to encourage those who faced life-threatening situations because in the end of their life they would see Yeshuwa and be received into glory.

Throughout the world today, Christians face persecution and hardship. Satan hasn’t changed his tactics. He still persecutes the church. When you go to your prayer closet, you need to pray for those on the front lines where Satan dwells and inflicts as much cruelty as he can against Yeshuwa’s people. In the middle of their persecution, you will see messages of encouragement from them, breakthroughs instead of sorrow, life-changing events that bring people closer to Yeshuwa instead of tearing them apart. Rejoice when you read about the many people who give their lives to Yeshuwa and put a prayer cover over them to protect them. Their salvation could mean their death.

JEHOVAH is still on the throne. He sees your situation, hears your prayers, and rejoices or weeps with you as He brings you closer to Him. You serve an Elohiym who can empathize with you because He endured everything you do. He saw His Son nailed to the cross for your salvation. Yeshuwa lived among people who refused to listen to Him and instead put Him to death. Though among His people, there were those who listened and learned and went out to change the world for Him, knowing they would face hardship and tribulation.

In the letter to the Hebrews, the author showed how Yeshuwa faced everything you face.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Iesous the Huios of Theos, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The only difference between you and Yeshuwa is that He is without sin. You need Him to stand in JEHOVAH’S presence to intercede for you. That’s how you can laugh in the middle of sorrow and show mirth when you want to grieve. Yeshuwa has you in the palm of His hand and NOTHING Satan does to you will harm you. He might kill the body, but your soul belongs to Yeshuwa.

Let’s pray: Father, thank you for standing by my side and showing me how much You love me in the middle of my sorrow. Help me rejoice and weep with those who need Your love to shine in their lives and encourage them in their weakness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 29 January 2026 by Valerie Routhieaux