When Jesus prayed to our Heavenly Father, it was not the first time Scripture referred to God in such fathering terms. In God’s character, we discover the type of compassionate care we desperately need.
11Â For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
Psalm 103:11-14
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.
12Â As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.
13Â As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
14Â For he knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.
Through this psalm, David paints a fuller picture of what our Father is like. In these verses, he utilizes direct imagery of a father to a child. If you have grown up in the Christian faith, phrases like Heavenly Father are familiar to you, but they are foreign concepts to people of other religions.
The idea of God being like a dad is very unique. That’s why it was probably shocking in this song to hear David sing, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).
Yahweh is a compassionate father who understands that we struggle. He is willing to meet us in our greatest need – forgiveness.
His love for us is just as high as the heavens are above the earth (Psalm 103:11). He doesn’t keep our sins close to bringing them up as weapons when we are already defeated. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). If you aren’t aware, that’s as far as it gets!
Those who have trusted in the gospel have no condemnation (Romans 8:1), and Yahweh remembers our sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34).Â
This type of compassion Yahweh shows is reserved for those who fear him (Psalm 103:13). When you think of fearing God, think more than respect and less than terror. We often exaggerate to one side based on our perceptions.
Fearing God means maintaining a healthy reverence for the One who made and sustains you. If you had steady relationships with your parents, you might understand what a healthy fear is. It is the type of mindset that knows Yahweh will do anything for you since you are His child, but He also won’t let you get away with repeated offenses. He loves you too much for that!
He is aware of who we are. “For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). Adam was made from the dust (Genesis 2:7), and that’s where he would return (Genesis 3:19). It is a reminder that we aren’t made of the most sustainable substance, but we are marked with the most glorious image!
Yahweh made us in His image (Genesis 1:27). The family resemblance should be unmistakable! He knows we are just dust, but that makes His caring love for us all the more glorious. Sin brings about death, and we are going back to the dust. But due to the faithful compassion He shows, we find forgiveness.
He knows everything about us, yet He loves us anyway! When you think of God, do you envision these types of characteristics? It might be difficult because we project what we think about God rather than believe what He has revealed about Himself. If God says He is a compassionate Father who loves you more than you deserve, why not take Him at His Word?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
