Daily Worship (Dec 14)

Psalm 103:13–14 (NIV)
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

Devotional Thought
Psalm 103 gives us a picture that connects beautifully with Hosea 11. In Hosea, God says he taught Israel to walk, held them in his arms, healed them, and bent down to feed them. Here, David uses a similar picture: the Lord has compassion “as a father has compassion on his children.” God knows we are weak. He knows we are like “dust”—fragile, easily discouraged, and easily tempted. Yet instead of pushing us away, he draws near to us in kindness.

This is important because many of us relate to God through fear or shame. When we sin, we think God must be disgusted with us. But Psalm 103 reminds us that God understands our weakness better than we do. He does not excuse sin, but his compassion moves toward us—not away from us. He knows what we are made of, and he chooses to treat us with patience and mercy.

This is the same truth Paul teaches in Romans 2: God’s kindness leads us to repentance. When we remember how God gently carries us, we are moved to turn our hearts back to him. Just like a small child who finally melts into a parent’s arms, our repentance begins when we see the Father’s kindness and love.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Psalm 103 as a whole describe God’s character and actions toward his people?
• Observation: What images or phrases show God’s tenderness toward his children?
• Meaning: What does it mean that God “knows how we are formed” and remembers that we are “dust”?
• Main Idea: How does this passage teach that God’s compassion is the foundation of our relationship with him?
• Application: How does remembering God’s kindness help you repent instead of running away when you sin?

Prayer
Father, thank you for knowing my weakness and loving me with compassion. Help me remember your kindness when I struggle or fail. Turn my heart back to you, and let your love lead me to true repentance. Amen.

Hebrews 12:5–6 (NIV)
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Devotional Thought
Hebrews 12 helps us understand the painful part of Hosea 11—the part where God promises that Israel will face consequences for refusing to repent. At first, God’s discipline may feel harsh. Israel was going to be taken into exile. But Scripture teaches that discipline is actually a sign of God’s love, not his rejection. A father who loves his child will correct them when they run into danger. Only a parent who doesn’t care would allow a child to destroy their life.

Hebrews calls this truth an “encouragement.” That may surprise us. We usually think of encouragement as something that feels good. But here, encouragement comes from knowing that God’s discipline means he has not given up on us. He takes our sin seriously because he takes us seriously. He loves us too much to let rebellion harden our hearts.

This connects with your sermon story about the friend who hit rock bottom because of addiction. Through consequences, God was opening a door for healing. Discipline is not God’s anger losing control. It is God’s love taking action.

When we face the consequences of our sin, we should not lose heart. It is a reminder that we belong to the Father—a reminder that he desires our repentance, renewal, and restoration.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Hebrews 12 connect discipline with endurance and spiritual growth?
• Observation: What words or phrases show that discipline is rooted in love?
• Meaning: What does it mean to “not lose heart” when God corrects us?
• Main Idea: Why is God’s discipline described as encouragement instead of punishment alone?
• Application: How can you respond in faith when God reveals sin or allows consequences in your life?

Prayer
Lord, thank you that your discipline is a sign of your love and not your rejection. When you correct me, help me trust your heart and turn back to you. Keep me from becoming hard or cold, and use your discipline to bring me closer to you. Amen.

Galatians 4:4–5 (NIV)
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Devotional Thought
Hosea 11 ends with one of the most beautiful pictures in Scripture: God’s heart “changed within him,” his compassion “aroused,” and his promise not to give up on his people. Even though Israel rebelled, God refused to abandon them. But this creates a question: How can a holy God show compassion to rebellious people without ignoring their sin?

Galatians 4 gives us the answer. God sent his Son—Jesus, the true Israel, the Faithful Son who obeyed perfectly where we failed. Jesus lived under the law, kept it fully, and took the punishment our sin deserved. Through him, we are redeemed and adopted. We become sons and daughters in God’s family, not by our faithfulness, but by his.

In other words, the compassion of Hosea 11 becomes possible because of the cross of Christ. God does not pretend our sin isn’t real. Instead, he deals with it through Jesus so he can show us mercy. Adoption means God does not simply forgive us from a distance—he brings us close. He gives us a new name, a new identity, and a secure place in his family forever.

This is the “Love That Will Not Let Us Go.” God calls us out of our spiritual Egypt through the greater Son who came out of Egypt for us. His compassion is stronger than our rebellion.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Paul explain the difference between living under the law and being adopted by God?
• Observation: What important words or phrases show what Jesus came to do for us?
• Meaning: What does redemption mean, and why is adoption such a powerful image of God’s compassion?
• Main Idea: How does Jesus make it possible for God to show compassion to people who have rebelled against him?
• Application: How does remembering your adoption help you trust God’s love when you feel unworthy or ashamed?

Prayer
Father, thank you for sending your Son to redeem me and make me your child. Help me believe your compassion even when I fail. Teach me to live each day as your beloved son or daughter, trusting your love that will not let me go. Amen.