As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

I think it is likely that, with most parents, the most vulnerable point and perhaps greatest weakness we have is our children. When they get sick, hurt, or threatened in any way, our parental instincts kick in. We will do whatever we must to help them, to provide for them and protect them, with our life if necessary. The bottom line is we hate to see our children suffer and would willingly take it upon ourselves if it meant they would be relieved of it. So, if we feel this way about our little ones, how much more so does our Heavenly Father care about us?

The Bible clearly tells us that the Almighty loves us as His children and that we are invited to present our cares to Him because He truly cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He is not the angry, aloof and judgmental deity some make Him out to be but our Father in Heaven who lovingly guides and directs those who fear Him. Yes, sometimes that guidance includes the needed correction when the situation calls for it; but He does so with our best interests in mind — just like an earthly father would deal with his young ones. Because He desires for us to develop into what He has ordained us to be, He shapes and molds us, sometimes sternly, but always resolved to be long suffering as we strive to attain the goal.

Knowing that we are but dust and prone to mistakes and miscalculations, He deals with us according to our nature. By that I mean, He has already taken into account our inclination to sin and is, therefore, lenient, merciful and forgiving — not enabling and accommodating — when it comes to our mischief. In short, He is a good Father who, like us, wants to see His children succeed and prosper, not suffer. Accordingly, Scripture teaches that He doesn’t desire that anyone should perish, but that all would repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). To prove His commitment to this end, just as we would save our children from suffering if it were possible, the Messiah took our suffering for sin upon Himself. That’s how much He loves us and cares for those who fear Him and may we never take it for granted.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill