Some people struggle with the biblical image of God as a father. Their experience of a human father has made the idea of God as a father unappealing. It is true that human fathers are often far from perfect. Even fathers in the Bible—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David—were men of faith but not ideal fathers. We can trust, however, that God is our perfect heavenly Father. He is utterly reliable, caring, and attentive to His children.

In Psalm 103, David rouses himself to praise God (vv. 1–2). He reminds himself of many of God’s wonderful attributes. God heals, redeems, forgives, and satisfies (vv. 3–5). Even when we fail in our relationship with God, He “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (v. 10). Instead, God forgives. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (v. 12).

We find the reason for God’s forgiveness in verse 13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” God is loving and compassionate. While at times God will correct and discipline His children (Heb. 12:7), He has also provided a way for us to be forgiven and restored in relationship with Him: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

These truths led David to worship God and obey His commands (v. 18). He called out to others to join him in praise. “Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones...all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (v. 22)!

>> If you have come to faith in Jesus, you are God’s child. He is your perfect heavenly Father. Rest in the knowledge that God knows you intimately (v. 14). He loves you and cares for you.

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