Experiencing God's Presence #212

Experiencing God's Presence #212

He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

Psalm 103:14

A parent’s heart is moved by the scrapes and bruises a toddler gets while learning to walk. Or by the tears that flow when a child is the only one not to get an invitation to the party. Or by the lasting hardship that may result from a young person’s unwise decisions. Life can be unyielding in the way it imposes the law of reaping what we sow. In His mercy, God is not.

The psalmist David has just described God as a tender and compassionate Father, mostly in the context of how He deals with our sins and flaws. In that or any other hardship of life, God is on our side. He offers us mercy, waits for us patiently, and sent us a Savior who can sympathize with our weaknesses. He looks on us with understanding about our frailties. He condemns persistent rebellion but not consistent failures. He hates willful pride but meets us in our weakness. When we read of His wrath in Scripture, it’s always directed at those who have arrogantly chosen to shun Him, not those who have made mistakes or who are trying but falling short. God is slow to anger and willing to help us overcome.

God’s Presence gives us a sense of acceptance, comfort, and encouragement. His Spirit may also convict us of sin, but the purpose is constructive—to help us deal with it correctly, not to condemn us for it. Feeling beaten down and rejected are not signs of His Presence. Futility and frustration are not fruits of His Spirit. When His Presence is strong in us, we will be encouraged and strengthened.

Lord, I need the encouragement of Your Presence. I get discouraged easily, especially over my own shortcomings. But I trust in Your compassion. You know my weaknesses and are patient with me. You strengthen me. Help me reject any spirit that says otherwise and embrace Your compassion.