The more I understand the goodness of God, the more I experience. He is always gracious, delights in mercy, and continually compassionate toward us. He recognizes our weakness & has provided everything that we need. Should we fall, His mercy remains. Should we need strength, His grace is always available. He never leaves. He never forsakes. He is committed to seeing us conformed to the image of His Son. There are times in each of our lives when we need to be reminded. To, as the Psalmist says, FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS.
As I am reminded of the benefits of knowing Him, my heart comes alive:
He delights in mercy
His grace is sufficient
His steadfast love endures forever
He is gracious & full of compassion
And the list goes on & on.
What are we to make of our Heavenly Father? I ask you, if your child was weak, how would you handle him/her? If your child was in need, how would you respond? It seems to me that there are many people within the church who believe that they are much better parents than God. What do I mean by that? Listen to some of the sermons that come out of our pulpits. The belief that God would create the AIDS virus to punish the gays. The belief that God would bring an earthquake to a region because of a particular group of people who live there. The belief that cancer (or any type of sickness), financial ruin, fires, etc. are valid responses by God towards His creation to bring correction. This type of thinking is a slippery slope. It paints a picture of God as an abusive Father. Is this how you would treat your child?
Psalm 103 has created a portrait of the Father that is beautiful. I see the Abba of Jesus through His words. Did not the Son reveal the Father as full of compassion? Did He not demonstrate His willingness to heal, extend mercy, show love, and provide redemption. Jesus coming to us in our need gives the greatest expression to our compassionate Father. He has shown us what GOD is truly like. Not one who is bent upon destruction. Not one who is ready to bring judgement. But rather a Father who has come to the aid of His children.
I don't know what you are going through right now. I don't know what you have previously believed about the nature of God. I don't know how you handle your failures or where you get your strength. All I know is that I can point you to a Father who is compassionate towards you. I can point you to a Father who provides everything you need for life & godliness. I can point you to a Father who doesn't do abandonment or abuse. I can point you to the One who has demonstrated His incredible love for humanity through His Son. Jesus is the revelation of God that we desperately needed. He was the light in our darkened understanding of our Creator. And it is Him that we discover the summation of all things.
You never need to run from God ever again. How could you? It is in Him that we live, & move, & have our being. You never need to hold anything back from Him either. He knows your frame. Instead, you can fully trust His goodness in your life. His compassions fail not. It's time to come home.
"And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." - Luke 15:20
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