How do we know that God is compassionate towards wandering sinners?

Ezekiel 34:16 proclaims God's commitment to His people: 'I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away.' This demonstrates God's compassionate nature; He does not abandon His wayward children but actively seeks them out. In the New Testament, Jesus embodies this compassion as seen in His parables, particularly the one of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-14, where He emphasizes that it is not the will of the Father that any should perish. These passages underline the profound love and mercy God extends to sinners who have strayed from His ways, affirming that He is not only a judge but also a loving shepherd.