In an attempt to help us understand His love for us, God used similes that we could understand. Yesterday, we looked at His love through the eyes of a bridegroom for his bride. Today, let’s look at the other picture of His love that God uses far more often in the scripture–that of a father for his child.
"This is shown in Psalm 103 (AMP): “8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.9He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.10He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.12As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.13As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].14For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.”
photo used by permission by Sarah Barba
Just as a father loves his child and even pities him when he falls down or fails in his endeavors; so, too God as a loving Father sees our frailties and our failures through eyes of love and forgiveness. The other day my grandson, when attempting to take his first steps, lost his balance and fell hitting his head on the coffee table. The rising bump on his head, I am certain, caused his father great anguish. Yet, Aiden was not then strapped down to prevent his taking his next step. That might prevent his hitting his head or suffering injury again; but it would also prevent his being able to learn to walk. Much in the same way our heavenly Father is there to provide guidance, to place bumper pads, to tell us of the dangers around us; but, He knows that for us to be able to learn to walk, He will allow us at times to fall down. We may even suffer injury when we fall; but He is there to comfort us, pick us up, and to help us take the next step. He chastens us, admonishes us, provides us with shelter, shares of His wealth, shares in us His Glory, and prepares us to share His Kingdom. The greatest agony I have ever experienced in life has been when one of my children was injured, physically or emotionally. I do believe that helped me to realize
how often I may have broken God’s heart. I am certain He shed a tear as I would determinedly go in the wrong direction, ignoring the warning signs he had placed and not listening as he called me back. He always stood ready with the plan for my restoration to joy; just waiting until I had exhausted myself down some wrong road." excerpt from Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love
Are there any of us who do not find relief and rest within our soul when we read Luke 15 as Christ tells the parable of the prodigal son? And how much more our rejoicing to know Romans 8: "14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ"
God’s love is not the imperfect need love such as we humans know because Godneeds nothing from us; yet, He desires to give us His love, His Joy, and share His Glory as so beautifully is proclaimed in Christ’s prayer recorded in John 17. God can rest upon His love to be the sustaining force. When sorrow or trials surround me, I love to go back to Zephaniah and know that in those moments God has me cradled in His arms as He sings over me with joy.
Zephaniah 3: 14 Sing, O daughter… be glad and rejoice with all the heart….
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Question: Do you rejoice today as His redeemed, beloved and blessed child? Have you accepted His gift of adoption through Jesus Christ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdal5D3A_Ug
Amplified Bible (AMP)
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© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Photo used by permission © 2012 Sarah Barba
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