February 26 - A Compassionate Father

Today's Reading:
2 Kings 15:1-16:20
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Psalm 103:13-22 
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Focus Verses:
Psalm 103:13-14
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Insight:
God knows my frailty and weakness. He knows I'm made of dust—that I fail and sin—and yet loves me. He has compassion on me as a good father has compassion on his children. God's compassion and forgiveness are given to all who have reverence for him, the humility to acknowledge sin, a heart to follow him, and the desire to live a fruitful life that honors him.

Response and Action:
Faith in God is more than a matter of words and beliefs; it is something to be lived out. Though I fail and fall, God's love and compassion never fail. Because my heart is turned toward God and my desire is to keep his word and obey his precepts, God graciously comes to my aid. God's grace is greater than my sin. God's steadfast love and transforming power will help me to turn away from sin and push forward toward righteousness. God knows I need his grace to become the child he has in mind for me to be.

O God, have mercy upon me, a sinner. In your compassion, forgive my sin. Give me the strength and heart to live a life that honors you. Grant me the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, feed my spirit, stimulate my mind, and care for my body. Thank you for your faithfulness to forgive and purify. By the power and guidance of your Holy Spirit, help me delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses:  
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Resources:
Learning to Pray Through the Psalms
by James Sire