“…Many times did God deliver them, but they were rebellious in their counsel and sank low through their iniquity, nevertheless He regarded their distress when He heard their cry;” Psalm 106:43-44

“Nevertheless he regarded their affliction” …. Or ‘looked on them in distress’ – He saw their affliction, and had compassion on them; he was so far from abhorring and despising the affliction of the afflicted, that He pitied them and sympathized with them – in all their afflictions He was afflicted – he looked upon them with an eye of pity and concern, and helped them out of their troubles. When he heard their cry; or their “prayer,” – it denotes vocal and vehement prayer, such as is put up to God in distress; and which he hears and answers; his ears are open to the cries of his people.” (John Gill Exposition of the bible)

As I read His words, I realize I am reading His very heart and it just melts me. As I was reading that verse I just started thinking about how “God IS Love” and how He can’t help Himself but love… I don’t mean any disrespect in anyway by this, but what went through my head was “He’s addicted to Love!” I’m glad because I am addicted to HIM! God’s heart overflows with His love and grace as if it were endless waves from the ocean rolling in one right after another and never running out. Its so beautifully clear reading through the old testement how, no matter what they did, He could never give up on His children. He would be so angry and as soon as they cried out He would save them again and again. Always full of love and compassion and pity.

Our perfect Father’s heart breaks when we fall and He sees the consequences of our sin come on us and bring us low, but He doesn’t leave us low – and depending on the circumstance there are times He has been known to save us FROM consequences! Joel 2:13 in the living bible version says that He is “anxious not to punish you!” Does that sound like a Daddy or what? Parents say “this is gonna hurt me more than it’s gonna hurt you” and with God this is so true. He is ever so close to the broken & contrite spirit.

You see how soft men get toward their children, so just imagine that softness on an infinite & divine level!!!! God has so much more of that love and compassion and kindness and gentleness than any human – it is His very nature! “He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him.” Psalm 103:13

“With a father’s heart the sight of their sorrows touched his soul, the sound of their cries overcame his heart, and he looked at them in compassion. His fiercest wrath towards his children is only a temporary flame, but his love burns on for ever like the light of his own immortality.” – Spurgeon

His very heart is where the instinct of both the father and mother come from and He has all those qualities and emotions magnified like crazy! Think of how He became flesh so that we could carry His spirit inside us – so we would always be together… He went through so much to save us because His heart couldn’t stand to be without us. And think how He went to the cross and took our punishment & made us worthy & able to be in His holy presence. That part makes me think of a selfless mother’s love desperate for her children.
…then you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and trotted lovingly bounced up and down on God’s maternal knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (in context: Isaiah 66:12-14)

“And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise them all up at the last day. For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up the last day. John 6:39-40

I know that we get our first opinion of who we think God is from watching our earthly parents, so because of imperfect parenting some people see Him as rigid & judgemental – or as if He has no heart at all & that His love is conditional. We really have to throw out our (maybe unknowing) preconceived ideas of who He is and read His words as if we have never read them before and really get to know Who He really is.

The heart of God is what we need to share with the world. Yes, warn everyone that His wrath will pour out on this earth and time will end, BUT when it comes to His CHILDREN it’s a DIFFERENT STORY! The world will end, but not until every child of HIS has been rescued and is safe in His arms, so spread the good news! That’s why He said it is our love that will show people He came. (please read John chapter 17 and look at His HEART!) They need to know there is a safe place to run to… a loving father & caring mother all wrapped into one big flawless heart!

“Rather I have quieted myself and caused my soul to become silent, that I might be as a child that is at rest upon it’s mother, as one who is weaned from my own life.” (Psalm 121:2) (version – combo of jubilee & tlb)

Thinking about how huge and soft His heart is toward us makes mine feel like exploding.
…..BTW, I love that last part from the Jubilee bible – “weaned from my own life” … but that’s an entirely different subject. heh. 🙂

Love,
Dana

*Hay! His Words Are Kisses!*