Like as a father pitieth his children, So the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:13 KJV
Context and Charge:
Whenever you hear the words pity and fear, they generally connote negative meanings, but as we know, it always matters in whose hands these words are and who uses or dispenses them for his own purposes. In the hands of the devil, fear is a powerful tool he uses to hold in bondage those who are under his control. From God's perspective, the focus is quite different. God demands fear from those who follow Him, but it is a fear borne out of respect and awe of Him. It is not a fear that paralyses, but one that sets us free to really worship this God who is very mighty, yet brings himself to live in the hearts of all who come to Him. That is the God David introduces again to us here.
This is a follow up from yesterday's focus, where we looked at the blessings of who God is and the benefits He gives. Today's verse highlights some of those benefits. God is a Father who knows the strength and weaknesses of all He has created. He knows our frame and what we can stand, and he will never put on us more than we can bear. This is the amazing thing about this God: he will allow the trial, but will also supply sufficient grace for me to be able to endure. Pity is defined as 'the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.' If this is the world defines pity, it then means that it is God's pity we call grace, mercy, favour and all the other names we call the undeserving gifts from God.
Conviction and Conclusion:
I don't get to stand before God and plead qualifications, connections or influence. I don't even get to plead anything remotely resembling merit; I come with a heart of awe and reverence for God, knowing what my past deserved, but also fully aware that I am saved from the consequences of my past and brought into a new relationship with God through Christ. You get a healthy dose of fear for a God who is within his right to exact the punishment for sin from me, yet chose not to, because He knew I could not pay it. Christ did the paying on my behalf, laying his own life as the price for my sin. I identify with the cross, because it is also the key to accessing the blessings available in God.
In this case, fear is a good thing. It tells God I appreciate what He has done and what He has given. This fear makes you love what God loves and hate what He hates. This fear also teaches me to be careful about my daily choices, pursuits and priorities. Contrast this love God has for me with the hatred the devil has for all who fear God, and he will not rest until he has been judged. A father does not seek to destroy those who come to Him, but the warning is this: I don't have much time to sort myself out, as I have just this earthly phase to live out God's expectations. He will do all He has promised; what will my response be? God's time of favour is here.
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