Infinite Pity

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

It wasn’t the first time this happened, and most likely, it will not be the last: I asked God for traveling protection. He was faithful, but I didn’t remember to thank Him for keeping loved ones safe until later in the day. How often do we ask our heavenly Father to guide, heal, comfort, encourage, protect, or meet a need for someone or ourselves? We know who to run to for help but sometimes delay or neglect to say, Thank You, Lord. On some occasions, we refuse to express our gratitude when His response to our pleas is not like we hoped. But His timing and decisions are always for the best.

Jesus called God Father in the model prayer (Matthew 6); God likened Himself to a father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15). The psalmist compares a father’s affection, care, and forgiveness for wrongdoing towards his children to the LORD's unmeasurable love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness for those who revere and love Him. God made us; He understands our frailties. He is faithful, even when we are not.