Happy Mothers’ Day to all you wonderful women!
Twice in the Book of Isaiah, God refers to Himself with qualities we often associate with mothers.
Isa 49:15-16: “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.” [NIV]
Isa 66:13: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” [NIV]
One of my favorite parables is the one of the Prodigal Son. After everything that boy did, insulting his father by asking for his inheritance while his dad was still alive and then running off and squandering that inheritance on what the NIV calls “wild living,” his father was watching and waiting with compassion for his son to return. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” [Luke 15:20 NIV]
How our God loves us. He watches and waits for us to return to Him. He yearns with compassion for his lost sons and daughters. What comfort is ours when we return to Him and find that He is not angry with us, that He does not reject us, but instead throws His arms around us and kisses us to welcome us home.
Father, what comfort is found in You, what compassions flow from You. Amen.
