Today's Verse: Psalm 103:13

Friday, June 16, 2006

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
— Psalm 103:13
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Compassion!
Not pity, not anger, not shame, not impatience, not intolerance, not rejection, none of this is what God, our Father, longs to share with us. We know this because today's verse declares it. We know it even more by the way Jesus treated children in his busy and overly-scrutinized ministry:
  • He welcomed them and placed his hands on them to bless them (Matthew 19:13-15).
  • He took the children into His arms, placed His hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16).
  • He welcomed little children, and held them up as examples for us to follow (Luke 18:15-17)
God cares for our pain, loneliness, emptiness, abandonment, and mistreatment. God cares for us when we are overlooked, neglected, minimized, and pushed aside. God loves us and longs to share his compassion with us. He chose to enter our world and demonstrate his love for us in Jesus.

My Prayer...

Father of mercies and God of all compassion, we thank you not only for knowing and caring about our struggles, but also for sending Jesus to us and for living in us through the Holy Spirit. Because of your mercies, we know your love, grace, and forgiveness. Because of your compassion, we know your might and power released to us and in us through your gentle presence. May your Spirit of compassion be found in our relationships so others can recognize that this grace comes from you. Through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, and through Jesus our Savior, we pray. Amen.

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Kind Father
Illustration of Psalm 103:13
As a father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor him. - Psalm 103:13
I Don't Know How It Feels
Article by Tom Norvell
God knows how it feels, do you? The storm comes and rages and destroys, do you know how that feels? God does!
Joy Comes Because Jesus Comes
Article by Max Lucado
You have not lived one moment when you were not loved. Max Lucado reminds us that Jesus appeared to Mary and what this exchange means to all of us.

Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 103:13 — As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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