Today's Verse: Psalm 103:13

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
— Psalm 103:13
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 16, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Greater Things'
"Dear Disciple, Even after I ascended back to the Father, the work of My apostles reminded people that My power and presence were still at work. I was..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Pray During the Night – Stay Close to God'
"I remember you while lying on my bed. I think about you in the middle of the night. That is because you are the one who helps me. It makes me happy to..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Why Eat with Them?' (Acts 11:2-3)
"But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem [after leading Cornelius and his relatives and friends to Christ], the Jewish believers criticized him. "You..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Proof They Belong' (Ac. 19:6)
"When Paul placed his hands on [the people he had just baptized], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

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.

More Today's Verse