The Tender Heart Of God

THE TENDER HEART OF GOD

Isaiah 49:15 (KJV) 15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

I.THE EAGLE THAT FLUTTERETH (9-14)

Deuteronomy 32:11-12 (KJV) 11As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

II.THE FATHER WHO PITIETH

Psalm 103:13-14 (KJV) 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

•Illustration: A schoolteacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. He had no trouble with discipline that term.

•This is not the kind of fear we are talking about. It is a respectful fear we should have of God that leads to obedience. The Bible says that He will reward that kind of fear.

III.THE BRIDEGROOM WHO REJOICETH

Isaiah 62:5 (KJV) 5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

•Illustration: A forgetful husband thought he had conquered the problem of trying to remember his wife’s birthday and their anniversary. He opened an account with a florist, provided him with dates and instructions to send flowers along with an appropriate note signed, "Your loving husband." His wife was thrilled by this new display of attention. All went well until one day, many bouquets later, when he came home, kissed his wife, and said offhandedly, "Nice flowers, honey. Where’d you get them?"

•God will never forget us

IV.THE MOTHER WHO COMFORTETH

Isaiah 66:13 (KJV) 13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

•Quote: "A mother can get her children’s complete attention just by sitting down and looking comfortable." --Sam Ewing

•But God is not like that…he can comfort everyone at the same time.

V. THE SHEPHERD WHO SEEKETH (Ps 23)

Ezekiel 34:12 (KJV) 12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

VI.THE NURSE WHO GATHERETH

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (KJV) 7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

VII.THE HEN THAT GATHERETH

Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

37…how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!