The Father's Love

A father has compassion for his children, in a similar way God has compassion towards us. The Heavenly Father’s love is different than an earthly father’s love. It is undeserved, kind, patient, tender, and gracious. To extend Godly compassion, you need to understand His perfect fatherly love towards you. You can not earn it, you do not deserve it, it is only by His grace and mercy that you are shown it.

Psalm 103 highlights that God’s compassion flows from His covenantal love. He is compassionate “toward those who fear Him,” meaning He doesn’t withhold mercy from others, but His deep, fatherly compassion is especially experienced by those who fear, honor, and walk with Him.

To fear the Lord means to stand in awe of Him, respecting His holiness and trusting Him above all else. For those who live in that posture, God draws near with tender mercy, like a father who understands the weakness of his children (v. 13), and He responds not with harshness, but with patience, forgiveness, and faithful love.

God is compassionate in trial, victory, loss, promotion, heartache, celebration, and more. He is moved with compassion for you. In sympathy and kindness, He suffered for you, enduring the cross and scorning its shame, so you could be reconciled to Him. When you connect with God through Compassion, you come to understand more fully His character, His goodness, and His undeserved kindness.

Prayer

God, thank You for being a holy and compassionate Father in every season. Teach me the fear of the Lord that I may see your compassion in each facet of Your character. Father, thank You for Your compassionate correction and discipline, that helps me become more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Application

Do you believe God is compassionate?

Are there any areas in which you doubt His goodness? Ask for a greater fear of the Lord when it comes to compassion.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how He has treated you with compassion in your current season.