May 24, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“I desire compassion, rather than sacrifice.” (Matthew 12:7)

The purpose of any well-meaning head of a family for implementing rules and regulations in his household is not to be a legal authority but to be a good father. He intends not merely to make his children comply and satisfy his ego but to train them for their own sake.

Like Jesus says, if we sinful, imperfect earthly fathers know how to show our children the way they should go, how much more our heavenly Father? He is self-sufficient and doesn’t need anything from anyone to enrich Him or meet His need. Everything He does is for another’s, particularly our, good. We must obey Him with this realization rather than with an anxiety to appease Him or earn His approval. He doesn’t want us groveling to Him but partaking of His divine nature of mercy and love because that is fullness of life.