Run To the Father!

As I understand it, we begin to retain memories around the age of three. Interestingly, there are certain things of which I have no "first" memory. For example, I don't remember the first time I dribbled a basketball or wore a softball glove; those "first" memories just aren't there! Where did you first learn to feel and show compassion? Perhaps it was by observing your parents' [or someone else's] love and compassion. In Psalm 103 David wrote of a father's compassion as he reflected on Perfect Compassion of his heavenly father. "Bless Adonai (The LORD), O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: He forgives all your iniquity. He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit. He crowns you with lovingkindness and compassions. He satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle." Psalm 103:2-5, Tree of Life Version). What a beautiful and welcome response of The LORD (Adonai) to His children in spite of their unfaithfulness, waywardness and repeated failures. "Adonai is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and plentiful in mercy" (V8). Here is true grace and compassion revealed - the ultimate type and measure we are to extend to one another! I realize there are many who have not known the compassion of an earthly father but Adonai has not left any of His children in desperation for a compassionate father: "The mercy of Adonai is from everlasting to everlasting on those who revere Him, His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His instruction." (V17-18). Oh, how Adonai wants to be that everlasting-to-everlasting Father to the fatherless. Run to The Father!