The heart of God

Devotion 04                  Rev. Samuel N. Modise                    2013

The heart of God        Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”     Extra Reading: Matthew 23:37-39

Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us a picture of the heart of God filled with tender love and care for His children. I was raised in village near Warmbaths called Lebotlwane.  It was a farming community where many people had some chickens in their backyard, I often heard a mother hen cluck and spread her wings as her little chicks scrambled for safety under her wings.

From where we have just read Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and its people who have refused to come to God. The Lord would have given them refuge under His wings (see Psalm 91:4) But they have sought safety elsewhere.

Jesus’ tears remind me of the story of King David and his son Absalom. When Absalom was killed, his father David wept bitterly: “O my son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I had died instead of you-O Absalom, my son, my son” (2 Samuel 18:33). David was willing to die for his son-but couldn’t fulfill that desire. If you have a wayward son or daughter, you understand David’s anguished cry.

Our God, whose heart was filled with sorrow over his lost children, sent His Son, Jesus, to die for them. The tears of God are in the eyes of Jesus. Some of us have similar tears for a child who has morally and spiritually left home. In your pain, be comforted to know that you share the heart of Jesus. Be encouraged that God’s resources far exceed our own. Stay strong.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, heal the pain in parents’ hearts who are concerned about their wayward children. You are more than able, you are more than enough. We thank you for healing us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.