The Compassion of God

​For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)

​One of the most comforting passages in all of scripture is Psalm 103:8-14 which says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.  For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”  It’s comforting because it not only reminds us that God will forgive our sins when we come to him asking for forgiveness because God is merciful and forgiving, but also because God is understanding and compassionate.  “He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”  God knows how weak we are.  He knows how difficult it is for humans to resist temptation.  This certainly does not excuse our behavior, but it causes God to be compassionate on our souls.  There’s a lesson to be learned here.  Knowing how difficult it is for us to always do the right thing, we should be more understanding of others when they don’t do the right thing.  If God is compassionate with us because he knows our frame, how compassionate should we be with others whose frame we resemble?