Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.

The line of this verse that most grabs me is the first one: “In their distress He too was distressed.” (The Japanese has, “When they suffered He also suffered.) The point is that God is not some cold and distant Being, but is intimately concerned with His creation. That seems absurd to human intellect, considering the vastness of the universe, but it is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, culminating in John 3:16. I am personally reminded of the time I was lying in bed thinking about all the things I wished were different, when completely unexpectedly (since I wasn’t consciously praying) the Lord said to me, “How do you think I feel?” As absurd as it might seem, the God of the universe indeed has feelings, and He actively desires the best for His children. That makes it all the more tragic when we turn our backs on Him and violate what He tells us. That theme too is of course repeated throughout the Bible, because that’s the sort of foolish beings we are. The devil does all he can to convince people that God is mean and vindictive, and, sadly, at times he is successful. However, perhaps Jesus’ most touching parable is The Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) There can be no question that He painted a word picture of Father God for us, and it is a moving picture indeed. God knows and desires what is best for us, but He does not force it on us, even though it hurts Him deeply when we refuse it. Trusting obedience is not only the way to greatest blessing, happiness and satisfaction for us, it is the way to make God happy as well.

I’m sure I was taught this from childhood, but it didn’t really sink in until I was a parent. I would much rather suffer myself than to watch one of my children suffer! However, that was slow to make me really commit myself to total obedience to my heavenly Father. I had the same self-centered rebellious streak as the rest of mankind. However, the longer I have walked with Him as His child, while being a father and grandfather to others, both physically and spiritually, I have slowly learned better how to please Him, which is always the very best course for me. As a pastor, of course, I strive to teach that truth to my spiritual children, and through my blog, to all who will receive it. God loves us, and the more fully we grasp that and respond in loving obedience, the better it is for us all.

Father, thank You for Your love! Thank you for these days I’m having with my children and grandchildren. It is further training in this very truth, from various angles. Help me be Your agent to all I am with on this trip, so that Your Word may be spoken in love and Your will done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!