Compassionate Father

“The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.”  Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)

God, our Abba Father, is tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. Not fear as we think of it in human terms where we are frightened of “Father” as the disciplinarian. How many of us heard, when we were children and disobeyed Mom, “wait until your Father gets home!” How we dreaded his arrival and the punishment to follow. We knew we’d pushed Mom too far when our fate lay in Father’s hands.

The Hebrew word used here is “Yara.” It describes this “fear” as causing astonishment and awe…to hold someone in awe, reverence, honor and respect. Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who is worthy of all honor and reverence, loves you and me.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

Love is the motive for everything He does…in the world…in the nations…in you and in me. Difficult times stretch our faith and strengthen us. Joyful times give us rest. Even had He never given us the promises we learn from the Bible, we can trust Him because He is good and He loves us.

Soon we will celebrate our earthly fathers with a day set aside for honoring them. May we not forget to honor our Heavenly Father…every day.

Father, we thank You for Your love that has no end. Thank You for Your lovingkindness, Your mercies that are new every morning. We pray Your blessing on our earthly fathers, that they will be willing to be molded into the image of Jesus, to hold their families close to their hearts and guide them with love and wisdom. We ask this in the powerful Name of Jesus, that You may be glorified. Amen

by Marilyn Allison