“The LORD is compassionate and gracious…” (Ps. 103:8a).
You are full of rich love, caring for your creatures with deep, overflowing, unending compassion. You are intimately concerned for each one and each situation. You watch, observe, protect, guide and reveal yourself to each one, calling them all to drink of your grace.
You are the ever-giving, ever-sharing, ever-generous, ever-kind and ever-helping God. You provide air, sunshine, food, water, relationships, beauty, protection, guidance and wisdom. You generously pour out on us your goodness every day. When we awake, you are there, while we sleep you watch over us. Your unending supply of all that is good never fails, you are graciousness itself and we exalt you for that.
“…slow to anger, abounding in love” (Ps. 103:8b). You, Lord God, are patient, working with your stubborn, rebellious, obstinate creatures over long periods of time. With Abraham, you endured his fear of Pharaoh, his listening to his wife’s cultural urgings, his repeated failures; you waited and taught, taught and waited. In the end, Abraham trusted you completely, being willing to offer his only son, the promised son, and became the spiritual father of faith for us all.
With Jacob, you promised him all but he did not believe you. So, you patiently waited while he manipulated, twisted and turned everything to what he thought was his advantage. You gently wrestled with him through his whole life, for 137 years, and in the end, he finally bowed before you in worship. You are slow to anger, your love abounds, it is immeasurable, it is ever flowing.
Praise be to you, Great God, Lavish Lord, King of Glory, Commander of Compassion, God of Grace, Lord of Love, Revealer of Reality, Provider of Patience, Teller of Truth, Redeemer of rebels—for you are worthy.
Prayer: “To you be glory and honor in my life today, Lord God, the compassionate, gracious and patient One. I bow before you in adoration, I rise up to obey you in love. Guide me in doing all in your wisdom and power today. Amen.”
