Summer is right around the corner! The days are longer and the schedule is often more relaxed. During the season of summer, I often choose one passage to focus on a bit more intentionally. 

As I consider the hopelessness surrounding us in our culture, a great passage for this summer is Psalm 103.

In this magnificent Psalm, David reminds us of who God is as our Father. Until you really know who He is as Father, you will have difficulty trusting Him. With the release of Our Father: A Six Week Study of the Lord’s Prayer, I’ve heard over and over again from people who need a new picture of who God is as their Father. Beyond the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 103 paints a beautiful portrait of our loving Father. 

I wonder at times if David also had father wounds. I mean, when Samuel comes to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as King, Jesse calls in all the other brothers and doesn’t even mention David until Samuel asks if there is another son (1 Samuel 16). Was David the forgotten child of Jesse? Was he undervalued because he was the youngest? Likely. In any case, David dives deeply into knowing God as his Father.

If you are going to find rest in our Father’s love, here are 5 qualities you need to know about Him. 

5 Qualities of Our Father’s Love

He Is Compassionate. “As a Father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). At times, the patience of even the kindest earthly father runs thin. Yet, our Father never runs out of patience. He is always compassionate. He remembers that we are human and prone to making mistakes. 

He Is Slow to Anger. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger” (Psalm 103:8). Some of our earthly fathers were short-fused. They had a quick temper. Our Father in Heaven is slow to anger.

He Is Abounding in Love. “And abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). In other words, God’s love is abundant. He loves you more than you can even imagine. Rest in His love this summer. Ask Him to help you to experience His love more deeply. When you wake in the morning, remind yourself that you are categorically loved and cherished by your heavenly father. 

He Is Ever Present. “From everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him” (Psalm 103:17). In another Psalm, David writes, “God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Some of our earthly fathers were emotionally distant. Our Father in Heaven is completely different. He is constantly present.

He Is Faithful and Loyal. “From everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 103:17). In these uncertain times and in our ever-changing culture, you can count on our Father to be faithful and loyal. He never changes.

As you seek to relax this summer and destress, why not spend some time meditating on the goodness of our Father as outlined in Psalm 103. It is a wonderful place to re-kindle your hope and joy!

If you haven’t already, please be sure to order your copy of Our Father. I am hearing from so many that this study is life-changing!  If you’ve done the study, please leave a review on Amazon as those little reviews help!

This week on the Connected Mom Podcast, we’re talking about loneliness. Be sure to listen. With the surgeon general’s new report on the epidemic of loneliness, we need to relearn how to cultivate deeper connections.