2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Thursday, September 10
Psalm 103:8-13
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
“… 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. …”
As I listen to my daughter try to contain my six-year-old grandson and keep him from pestering her when we’re on the phone together, I’m reminded of those moments from my childhood when my parents did the same. What is it about little children and phone calls. All day, the child is nowhere to be seen. Yet, when the phone rings or when a parent attempts to make a call, that kid is right there – in your face.
I’m sure, at times, my parents wanted to lock me away in my room just so they could have a peaceful, uninterrupted conversation. My daughter undoubtedly feels the same. Yet, despite the frustration and inconvenience, like most good parents, they try to juggle between having a phone conversation and containing their pestering child.
God has got to be a little like that. After all, we pester the Lord all the time. Prayers, intercessions, supplications, requests, admonitions, adoration – all raised again and again before the Lord. Certainly, God’s got better things to do than to hear us gripe, complain, make unreasonable demands, and simply chatter on about things that we need, want, or desire. Rather than shoo us away, God listens. God responds. God loves.
The psalmist reminds us that God has compassion for all God’s children. Like a loving parent, God cares for each one of us – everyone one of us. Even though we can be as annoying as that six-year-old, God continues to treat us with mercy and grace – listening to our prayers, our concerns, and even our gripe. All because God loves us.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for listening even when we seem to be pestering You about one thing or another. Thank you for Your compassion, patience, and mercy. You are the greatest! Amen.