The motherly compassion of God
Some Christians have difficulty relating to God the Father because they view Him, not only looking like a large old man with grey hair and a flowing grey beard, but they also view Him as being more stern and rigid than compassionate and forgiving.
Did you know that “mercy” in the Bible is translated from a few slightly different Hebrew words? One of them literally means “motherly compassion.”
In Zechariah 1:16 God said, “I will return to Jerusalem with mercy (motherly compassion) and there my house will be rebuilt.” God had been angry with the Israelites because they chose to worship other gods and turn away from His Laws. Being a God of justice He had to discipline them and let them live under their own self will. But because He is also “Love” God could not permanently reject His own. As soon as they repented God returned to Jerusalem with mercy (motherly compassion).
When we reject God by turning away from His Laws and guidance, either because our self-will and desire to do our own thing is winning out, or because our image of God reminds us of our own perhaps absent, neglectful or stern earthly father, God may leave us in the wilderness for a time, so we can learn. But His mercy will draw us back into the fold …. perhaps many times over.
Have you ever thought of God as having “motherly compassion?”
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.