A Patient Father

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
 for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.                                                                                                             Psalm 103:13-14

Our pastor had a strong message yesterday about God’s patience with us. He talked about self-forgiveness, and the overwhelming forgiveness given to us by a merciful and patient God.

It got me thinking again about Psalm 103, a Psalm I mentioned in my “Mt. Rushmore” blog a couple of weeks ago. This reassuring Psalm has a picture of God as the patient Father, encouraging us with the words, from the Psalm above, As a father has compassion on his children,  so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

I have this picture of God down on one knee, encouraging a child trying to take her first steps. He doesn’t yell at her for falling down (repeatedly). He beckons her to join him, then triumphs with her when she takes those steps. She is smiling and giggling back at him as they relish the triumph! That is the picture that was called forth for me- one that a friend had shared with me decades ago.  

Just like children, we are required to grow up, and to become responsible. We need to mature in our love of God and our fellow travelers here on earth. Knowing that we have a gracious God as Father makes that process possible.

Prayer: Lord, we are grateful for your patient presence in our lives, Amen