Lenten Devotional...February 27

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
(Psalm 103:13-14)

Parents see their children through very unique eyes. These are not objective eyes, but eyes that will always view their particular child in a different light from other children. The reason, quite simply, is that the child is their own. Now this doesn't necessarily speak to possession because children are not possessions to be handled, but gifts to treasure. The Psalmist reminds us that God looks at us with very unique eyes because we are God's children. Through compassionate eyes God recognizes our frailties, and loves us still...he knows how we are formed, he remembers we are dust."

Of the subject of love, C.S. Lewis writes, "On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for Him." The Psalmist's words would seem to reinforce this truth. For the compassionate love of the One who has created us and knows everything about us...even the dusty, dirty parts, let us give thanks.

The words of twentieth-century British poet and novelist John Oxenham, perhaps give us a glimpse of the compassionate father who generously gives of himself, again and again.

Love ever gives.

Forgives, outlives,

And ever stands

With open hands.

And while it lives,

It gives,

For this is love's perogative--

To give, and give, and give.

Jim Abernathy