As a father has compassion

As a father has compassion...............

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103:13)

        The other day, I had a deep revelation of what it meant to be loved. Have you noticed that a lot of references about love in the Bible ,come with the comparison to our earthly relationships. 

Like a father, even if a mother, is your husband..... etc.

        But what if instead of drawing me closer to God, these comparisons only made me hide in fear, shame and condemnnation? The light bulb moment was that , God is entirely different from the flawed examples of authority, love, and boundaries I have experienced in human relationships.

        It is during Advent, and my son who is still very excited about his Advent Calendar , opens his daily stash of Cadbury Chocolate. Although it is a reasonably small piece of chocolate, he offers me the first bite, and everyday I say ,thank you dear, but don't take a bite. But it makes me really glad that he thinks of offering me a bite. Deep down, I feel included, I feel proud that I have brought up a generous child, and I feel glad to think that he thinks that I am the source of his bounty. And then I suddenly realised that ,thats exactly how God saw me too. He wanted me to be generous and acknowdelge him as the source of my life and blessings, but He was not going to strong arm me or punish me if he felt that I was not acknowdling him in any way. It would hurt him, and he would discipline me if needed, but it was not a power struggle or a case of maoipulating or controlling. Just like I loved my son and enjoyed the relationship that I had with him, the Lord also wanted me to come to Him to enjoy the fellowship.

He gave me free will, and He respects it. I can say “Yes” or “No.” God will never coerce or manipulate me, and most importantly, He will never withdraw His love for me.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

I do not need to earn God’s love or approval. It is not transactional, conditional, or tied to my performance.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

God sees my heart, but He does not weaponize that knowledge. He never condemns me. Instead, He gently convicts me of sin, guiding and correcting me while leading me to truth and healing.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

He created me in His image with dignity and worth. I am not a tool or an object, nor am I a means to an end. God celebrates my individuality and honors my desires and limits.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

God never shames me or uses consequences to control or manipulate me. He does not blame me for my wrongdoings, nor does He demand that I bear the full cost of my own sin and folly.

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:10–11)

He forgives completely and never holds my sin over me. He offers grace and invites me to live free from shame. In contrast, my family often held onto my mistakes, keeping a mental scorecard to violate my boundaries and hold me in debt.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

My earthly authority figures demanded obedience, compliance, and loyalty—often at the expense of my emotional and spiritual well-being. But Jesus’ commands are not burdensome; they bring life and freedom.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

God gives me the freedom to make choices and even to make mistakes. He is patient with me and walks with me as I learn and heal.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

I had asked the Lord to reveal to me why He delights in me, becasue I dont really think I am particularly delightful to anybody.  And He led me to Psalm 18, and is challenging me to accept His view of me. 

The question still remains if I can accept His commission. 

Psalm 18:20-24

The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;

    according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;

    I am not guilty of turning from my God.

All his laws are before me;

    I have not turned away from his decrees.

 I have been blameless before him

    and have kept myself from sin.

 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.