Little Children

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:12-14 (NKJV)

I had breakfast with a friend this morning and we were discussing God’s love for us, even when we are doubting ourselves, or when we think of regrets in our life. I was reminded of one of my favorite passages from Psalms where the Psalmist states that God “pities us like little children”. I somehow always resonate to the King James translation. Maybe the use of the word “pity” makes me think of a kindly father, looking at his frail and wandering, somewhat clueless children, and having pity on them because he loves them so dearly.   

We are often much harsher on ourselves than we need to be. We have long memories of our sins, but God said that they are forgiven and removed as far as the east is from the west. The metaphor is that there cannot even be a distinguishing line from the east and west like we can measure between the north and south (the equator). No, we are removed from our sin and guilt that far.

Aren’t you glad that we have a father that sees us like wandering children, and not his enemy? I sure am.

Prayer: Thank you for being a loving and forgiving Father, Amen