"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." Psalm 103:13 ESV
As good earthly parents, moms and dads, grandparents, aunties, and uncles, it is our responsibility to serve as role models. We shower them with love and tenderness, and when needed discipline. When they get boo-boos, we hold and comfort them. Throughout those tough teenage years, we try to keep the lines of communication open, always staying vigilant of what is happening in their lives, physically and emotionally. We are there to help them through their heartbreaks and other disappointments. It's a tough job, with no job description. We rely on what we learned from our parents, our life experience, and lots of prayers. If you have parented more than one child, you also know that every child is different, and the ways we parent each child is different. All of this is true of good earthly parents.
As earthly parents, we have just a small fraction of the parenting abilities of God. God is not only the parent to all his human children but of all creation. Before we were even born, God knows of our existence. For those who honor and respect (fear) Him, he shows compassion. His love and concern for our well-being, caused Him to send His only Son, to provide us with a path to an eternal existence with our heavenly parent. In accepting salvation, we are choosing to be more than his creation but a joint-heir with Christ.
God, we give you thanks today for your compassion and the gift of salvation. Please help us remember your love for us each day and show you the honor and respect you richly deserve. In the name of your Son and our joint-heir, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
