Daily Scripture

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.

14 For he knows of what we are made;

he remembers that we are but dust.

15 Our days are but as grass;

we flourish as a flower of the field;

16 For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone,

and its place shall know it no more.

17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord is from of old

and endures for ever on those who fear him,

and his righteousness on children’s children;         (Psalm 103:13-17)

Daily Reflection

This portion of Psalm 103 tells of our generous Father God, who treats us like the children we are to him – lovingly, with mercy and compassion. He doesn’t harbour any illusions about us, he remembers that he formed us from dust.

And of course, this is true, even in a scientific sense – you and I are in essence space dust! This makes us both infinitely precious and very insignificant. Who knows where all our atoms have been before they assembled as little old you, or silly little me? There is a thought to make your head spin!

Another thought, that pulls in the opposite direction is, that our time is very short, we are here today and gone tomorrow, as the Psalm says.

But God and his mercy last forever and ever, even longer than the stars.

Revd Ylva