“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15

Two of my grown sons are fathers, and I love seeing the compassion in their eyes as they parent their children with patience and understanding. Love guides them, and I’m blessed to witness their compassionate interactions with my grandchildren.

Despite what some people believe about God—that He is angry and wrathful— we know He is slow to anger and full of grace. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

His compassion runs deep, and His faithfulness abounds to all generations. He is the One we turn to for comfort in our trials. Like our earthly dads who receive us with open arms, we can run to Abba Father and find compassion in our struggles.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

“Lord, thank You for comforting us with compassionate love and grace.”