OUR DAILY BREAD : A LOVING FATHER

[cimi]

SUNDAY JUNE 21


A LOVING FATHER

READ:
psalm 103:13
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As a father pities
his children, so the
LORD pities those
who fear Him.
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The parents were obviously weary from dragging their two energetic preschoolers through airports and airplanes, and now their final flight was delayed. As I watched the two boys running around the crowded gate area, I wondered how Mom and Dad were going to keep the little guys settled down for our half-hour flight into Grand Rapids. When we finally boarded, I noticed that the father and one of the sons were in the seats behind me. Then I heard the weary father say to his son, "Why don't you let me read one of your storybooks to you." And during the entire flight, this loving father softly and patiently read to his son, keeping him calm and focused.

In one of his psalms David declares, "As a father pities his children so the LORD pities those who fear Him" (PS. 103:13). The word pities refers to showing love and compassion. This tender word gives us a picture of how deeply our heavenly Father loves His children, and it reminds us what a great gift it is to be able to look to God and cry, "Abba, Father" (ROM 8:15).

God longs for you to listen again to the story of His love for you when you are restless on your own journey through life. Your heavenly Father is always near, ready to encourage you with His Word.

**I rejoice in Your presence and Your love for me, Lord. Today I choose joy
in knowing Your love is constant and unchanging, forever fixed.
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God's great love for His child is one of His greatest gifts.

***********************Today's Bible Reading Psalm 103:7-13**************************
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the
children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not
always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished
us according to uor iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His
mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from
the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

12 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who
fear Him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Commentator Adam Clarke provides this
background to Psalm 103: "The inscription in the Hebrew, and
in all the versions, gives this Psalm to David; and yet many of
the ancients believed it to refer to the times of the captivity, or
rather to its conclusion, in which the redeemed Jews give thanks
to God for their restoration. It is a Psalm of inimitable sweetness
and excellence; contains the most affectionate sentiments of
gratitude to God for his mercies; and the most consoling motives
to continue to trust in God, and be obedient to him."