Psalm 145:8-12…“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” vss. 8-9
There are several passages in scripture that refer to the anger and the judgment of God. In some verses the Lord is even portrayed as being cruel and vindictive, particularly to the enemies of Israel. For example, again and again the armies of Israel were ordered by the prophet Samuel to kill all the Amalekites, even the women and children and all of their cattle. Samuel said that this was the will of God!
In that context the words of this psalmist are reassuring and comforting. This is a description of God that does not make us cringe. It’s very likely that when Jesus rose early in the morning for prayer and meditation, words like this filled his heart and ordered his day. And since we affirm Jesus to be the Word of God, this is the way that we too understand the Divine Presence.
Oh how good it is to know that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and that compassion permeates the universe! These are words to hang on to in this time when different notions of God are gaining traction and compassion is considered to be a sign of weakness. These words are the truth!
Thought for the Day: Why do some consider compassion to be weakness?
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