The Tender Heart of God

What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? Psalm 8:4

I stood in disbelief in my living room as I watched the twin towers fall. I went upstairs, feeling frightened and extremely vulnerable. Was this the end of the world? What does this mean for my children? I fell prostrate before the Lord and began weeping, pouring out my heart to the Lord. I remember the intensity of my prayer as tears fell to the carpet and I cried the words silently to God. I began to pray for my boys as I recalled the verses in 1 Corinthians 9. I prayed that they would run and finish the race He had called them to; that they would keep their eyes on the goal, Jesus Christ. After some time of fervent prayer, I got up and opened the door. Just then, my five year old son, Micah, came running up the stairs holding a napkin on which he had drawn a picture at the table downstairs. It was a picture of himself crossing a finish line with his arms raised. He shouted, "Look Mommy, I won the race!" He had never drawn a picture like that before and he never did since.

The fact that God reached down and revealed Himself to me in such an intimate way melted my heart. His heart is so tender and so gracious towards us. The Psalmist writes, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? God is so immense and yet comes so near. He desires to be with us, to speak to us, to commune with us.

On the days that your prayers seemingly bounce off the ceiling, keep praying. And when you feel as though you can't hear a word from Him, keep listening. When doubt attempts to creep over you heart, keep believing. He is right beside you.

Dear Lord, thank you for speaking so personally and intimately to us. Enable us to hear your voice. When all is seemingly silent, help us to rest in knowing that you are right beside us. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher