so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13)
I have children and, especially when they were younger, remember many times when I felt deep compassion for them. Many times they deserved punishment, and just the look on their face when they realized that they were indeed deserving of my wrath filled me with compassion for them, and drove me to show them forgiveness and mercy instead.
Of course, they could also tell of times when they did receive the discipline they deserved instead of mercy! Sometimes you just have to whip out some old school Proverbs!
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24)
Thanks be to our Good and Holy God, who is the perfect Father – not a flawed and sinful father like me, and all the rest of us Earth-bound 'shadow fathers'. He disciplines us always as a loving Father, and so often showers us with undeserved mercy and forgiveness.
Psalm 103 continues:
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)
God knows us, and remembers that “they know not what they do”, as Jesus famously and heart-wrenchingly cried at the cross. We are but clay in the Potter’s hand, spinning on the wheel of life, slowly taking the shape of whatever vessel our Maker chooses.
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more. (Psalm 103:15-16)
We are “here today, gone tomorrow” – we are truly just a spec in the big picture. But, although we are a mere ‘vapor in the wind’, we are still highly valued:
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children--
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts (Psalm 103:17-18)
“The Lord’s love” – this is perfect love we're talking about here, people! This verse is promising His Love and His Righteousness to us unworthy vessels! How do we claim this everlasting gift? Fear Him (the one who can throw your body and soul in hell deserves a healthy fear, don’t you think?); keep His covenant; obey His precepts (i.e. His commandments).
Is that too much to ask from a God that offers you everlasting life in His Love?
All I can say is “Praise the Lord, my soul!”