Psalm 103 Devotionals: v. 13

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

Psalm 103:13

In this verse, the psalmist makes a personal offering of praise. From the beginning of the psalm, the LORD has been magnified and praised for who He is and for His magnificent works on our behalf. These include forgiveness, healing, redemption, satisfaction with good and love, mercy, justice, and grace. Now, for the first time in this psalm, the psalmist describes God as a father. The God of the universe is everyone’s Father by creation, but He becomes our Father with respect to redemption when He is our savior. This psalm reminds us that praise is family business because we have been adopted by God. Paul would later write, “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:5).

God also designed the process of human fruitfulness through the union of a man and a woman. With the birth of their child, their title and mission changes to “father” and “mother.” Because we are made in the image of God, we learn from His example to be a loving parent. Although God is a perfect parent, this verse compares an earthly father’s compassion toward his children with the compassion of the believer’s Heavenly Father. I think of my own father who loves me by showing me compassion. I am named after him, and I am blessed to be born to him and my mom. I am sure it was not his dream or expectation that his firstborn son would have special needs and require so many therapies, medical appointments, procedures, and medicines. He has not spared any expense to help me learn and accomplish things many thought were impossible. His daily encouragement has spurred me on to not give up when many have misunderstood or underestimated me. I cannot give God enough praise and thanksgiving for His love and care for me through my earthly father who loves God with his heart, mind, soul, and strength. My dad’s outward obedience and love for his Heavenly Father was and continues to be instrumental in influencing my desire to walk in obedience to God’s commands.

It is significant that God commands the believer to honor their earthly father and mother (Exod. 20:12). This honor acknowledges that they are God’s gift to us, and this command directs us to honor our Heavenly Father as well. There are no perfect earthly parents, and the commandment does not hinge on their performance. Yet, we can rejoice and be glad that our Heavenly Father, full of endless compassion, will never disappoint us and promises to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).

My grandfather, Opa, did not experience the love of an earthly father. When he heard the Gospel for the first time in the Marine Corps, he was astonished by the magnificent love of Christ, who gave himself to die for my Opa’s sin. Opa lived worthy of his call, always proclaiming how grateful he was that God chose to be his father. Although Opa had been abandoned by his biological father, God more than made up for the loss, and now Opa’s faith has become sight, for which we express thanks.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! Happy Father’s Day to the other fathers as well!

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