Kind & Compassionate God.

“The Lord is kind and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse.” (Psalm 103:8-9)

How many of you know the character of God? Like actually know the character of God?

You see, you may know a lot about God, but sometimes our actions say otherwise. Hey everyone! It’s your girl Julie, back with another segment of “Salty & Lit,” and today, we’re going to be talking about the character of God. Psalm 103 says that the Lord is kind and compassionate, and while I hear it often, I still can grow in understanding it a bit more. Let’s pray.

Father, thank You that You are a Heavenly Father, that means You’re seated in high places, but You commune with us. Help us to know Your truth, in that it sets us free. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Compassionate means feeling sympathy and sadness for people who are hurting or in trouble and having a desire to help them (Google, ChatGPT).

When you think of compassion, do you think of God is that? Do you believe that He desires to help you when He sees that you’re in trouble?

What I’m learning is that God doesn’t delight in giving pain, but at the same time, He allows us to experience the consequences of our actions, since He’s a holy God. He can’t stand sin, so there are effects of our actions. However, God in His mercy is willing to help us out when we cry out to Him.

God is also a merciful God. He doesn’t give us what we deserve. All of us deserve a penalty for our sins, yet God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we deserve either, which is what we need to remind ourselves of as we live our lives for Him.

You see, the wrath of God, which is righteous, was taken out on Jesus, who did nothing wrong. Jesus served as a substitute (the sacrifice for our sins), so all of the stuff that we deserved? The death we deserved? He received it instead. Isn’t that crazy?

When we talk about God’s kindness, we have to understand that doesn’t mean He’s nice.

When someone is nice, they might always try to keep things positive or avoid saying something that could hurt your feelings. But someone who is kind is willing to tell you the truth, even when it might hurt.

I have a friend who is kind. When I say something he doesn’t like, he’s straight up with me. He might say, “Julie, I didn’t like that. That choice you’re making isn’t good.”

He’s not looking to make me happy. He’s looking to help put me in a better position.

That’s also the thing with God: He’s not here for my temporary pleasure. He’s here to make me more like Christ.

If He sees me taking a route that will put me in danger, He’ll let me know. He’ll correct me because He is a good Father.

Sometimes, we have to know God more deeply to understand Him better.

Let’s not look at surface-level definitions of God. Let’s encounter Him as He is: Holy, Righteous, and Great. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, You are kind, and You are good. Thank You for Your willingness to share Your truth with us. Help us to walk in it each day for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Don’t forget these three things: you are loved, salty, and lit!

Talk to you soon! 🧡