HE
IS PATIENT WITH US!
Ps
103:13-14
13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
In
spite of, or perhaps because of, my forty plus years in pastoral ministry, I often find
myself possessed of a growing impatience with people. I see where their
decisions are leading them. There is a familiar but painful pattern to their
behavior. I can’t see why they can’t see. I grow tired of comforting them in
the pain they have brought upon themselves. I sometimes despair of warning
them.
The
root of the word
“pitieth” in this verse is Hebrew word for “to fondle.” The implication is that
God loves like a father holding his baby. He softly cradles the child in his strong
arms and is tender. He is aware of our frame and knows that we are dust. His
hope for us is high but his expectation considers our weakness. He is patient
with us. Psalm 37:26 tells us that he is ever merciful. I’m glad that he is.
Referring
to Messiah, the Bible says: “A bruised reed shall he not break.” (Matthew
12:20) Now, a reed is symbolic of that which is weak and feeble. Barnes’
Notes on this verse has the following to say.
Verse 20. [A bruised reed ...] The reed
is an emblem of feebleness, as well as of fickleness or want of stability, Matt
11:7. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed.
It means that he would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors
and conquerors did. It is also an expressive emblem of the soul
broken and contrite on account of sin; weeping and mourning for transgression.
He will not break it; that is, he will not be severe, unforgiving, and
cruel. He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength.
(From Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database
Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Loving
and patient Father, today I will meet some who will disappoint me. Help me to
give to them the kindness and patience that I require. AMEN
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