14/05/2012
A TENDER AND COMPASSIONATE FATHER
The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13 NLT)
I think sometimes people can get tripped up in their walk with God because of a poor understanding of who He really is. When we read the Old Testament it’s easy to see God as someone to be afraid of. However, if God was so harsh then Moses would have never been able to develop such a deep loving relationship with Him. He spoke with God face to face as a friend. (Exodus 33:11)
I love the incident in Exodus 34:6-7 (NLT) when Moses asked God to show him His glory. When God passed in front of Moses, He proclaimed His name: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…” Here God declares who He is. Now this is not a second hand description of God but rather a firsthand description that comes directly from the Lord Himself!
When we get a small glimpse of the depth of God’s love for us and what a huge price He paid to redeem us, then we can really be free to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. The scripture says that Israel saw God’s acts but Moses knew God’s ways. Moses had an intimate understanding of the intents of God’s heart. So, in order to really know God, we must seek His heart not just His acts. And we must learn to trust the Lord’s motives in that whatever He does or doesn’t do in our lives it is ALWAYS pure and ALWAYS for our own good. (Psalm 25:10)
May this understanding of a tender and compassionate Father bring strength and stability to your life today