Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Some material taken from A Father's Heart
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Psalm 103:8-9
A Compassionate and Gracious Father
Patience is something that most of us struggle with on a daily basis. We know how much we love our own kids, but they can try our patience until it all runs out. I can’t imagine how I try my Heavenly Father’s patience every day. Even as much as we love our children, He loves us so much more and has an abundance of patience with us.
The Bible tells us that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.There is a pattern here that we need to pay attention to. Compassion and graciousness are prerequisites to being slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.
Compassion + Graciousness >> yields>> Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness
It is no mistake that this verse is arranged this way. Order mattered in Hebrew scripture, so the fact that compassionate and gracious came first, means that this is the most important thing we need to know about God. Because He is compassionate and gracious, He is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
Lovingkindness is part of God’s character; it is part of who He is. We see His lovingkindness towards us in His unwavering love for us and the way He meets our needs. He meets our physical needs and so much more.
His lovingkindness…
Saves us from our enemies - Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. Psalm 6:4
Comforts us - O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant. Psalm 119:76
Redeems us - Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your lovingkindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Psalm 25:7
Assures us of His Promises - Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
We can trust that anytime we come before God, He truly cares about us, what we feel, what we are going through, and we can believe He is faithful to help us. His compassionate and gracious nature with us makes Him the Father we all long for - the safe place to fall, the open arms and unconditional love. His compassion and grace lead to a posture that is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
God’s lovingkindness is never-ending. He must get frustrated with us - I know He must with me - yet He is slow to anger and patient with us. His lovingkindness is abounding - it knows no bounds. We can’t wear it out, and it never runs out. He never gets tired of dealing with us. He stays with us and patiently guides us, surrounding us with His compassionate and gracious lovingkindness.
For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Psalm 57:10
