by John McDuff

"Like as a father pities his children, so
 the Lord pities those who fear Him." Ps. 103:13

"Abba, Father!" is a Gospel word.

A father bending over the sick bed of his weak or
dying child; a mother pressing, in tender solitude,
an infant sufferer to her bosom. These are the
earthly pictures of God. "As a father pities." "As one
whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you!"

When tempted in our season of overwhelming sorrow
to say, "Never has there been so dark a cloud, never
a heart so stripped and desolate as mine," let this
thought hush every murmur, "It is your Father's good
pleasure!"

The love and pity of the most tender parent is but
a dim shadow compared to the pitying love of God.

If your heavenly Father's smile has for a moment been
exchanged for the chastening rod; be assured there is
some deep necessity for the altered discipline.

If there be unutterable yearnings in the soul of the
earthly parent as the lancet is applied to the body
of his child; infinitely more is it so with your covenant
God as He subjects you to those deep wounds of heart!

Finite wisdom has no place in His ordinations.

An earthly father may err; is always erring.
But "as for God His way is perfect."

This is the explanation of His every dealing with you: "Your
heavenly Father knows you have need of all these things!"

Trust His heart when you cannot trace His ways.

Without one misgiving commit your way to Him.

While now bending your head like a bulrush; your
heart breaking with sorrow; remember His pitying eye
is upon you. Be it yours, even through blinding tears,
to say, "Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure!"