The Love of the Father

God’s love is vast and great. As much as we know Him as our Good Shepherd, our Saviour, and our Judge, He is also our Father.

Psalm 103:11–12 (NIV): "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

God as Our Father

There is absolute safety in God’s love.

Psalm 103:13–14 (NIV): "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust."

The Greek word for compassion, raham, means to love deeply and viscerally. This love is like a mother nursing her child, providing sustenance and absolute security.

Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV): "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me."

When we go through painful situations, we must remember that God the Father has not forsaken or forgotten us. Our despair must be reproved with the truth of God’s Word.

God’s Love for the Broken

God remembers that we are dust—a metaphor for brokenness, flaws, and sinfulness. In our most broken state, God loves us even more. His love never fails.

Compassionate Anger in God’s Love

Psalm 103:8–10 (NIV): "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

God’s anger is compassion-driven, slow, and under control. His compassion is permanent, but His anger is temporary and purposeful.

If God did not get angry when we destroy ourselves through sin, He would not be a loving Father. His discipline is meant to wake us up and turn us from destruction.

God’s Love is Our Ultimate Home

Psalm 103:15–17 (NIV): "The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children."

We all long for a safe home—a place of belonging. Without it, we remain unanchored. Until we recognize what our heart truly seeks, we will spend our lives searching. God’s love is the ultimate home where we find rest.

The more we know our heavenly Father’s love, the more we will desire to spend time with Him in prayer. If we do not understand His love, we will seek approval elsewhere.

What Blocks Us from Experiencing the Father’s Love?

Sin, unforgiveness, worldly desires, trauma, temptations, fear, and hardened hearts prevent us from fully experiencing His love.

A hardened heart is formed by suppressed anger and forgotten resentment. It distorts our view of God, making us see His love as conditional—like our earthly experiences.

Proverbs 20:20 (NIV): "If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness."

In Hebrew, the word for "curse" (ki tekhalbel) means to revile, insult, or speak evil of someone. We must examine our hearts and address any distorted view of God caused by past experiences.

How Do We Respond?

• Recognize our judgments.
• Repent.
• Forgive our parents.

Conclusion

The Father’s love is our absolute safety, our compassionate anger, and our ultimate home. By recognizing our judgments, repenting, and forgiving, we can fully experience His love.