KingJ
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Throughout Scripture, God is not emotionally distant. He feels deep grief, longing, and heartbreak when people leave Him. His love is not passive; it suffers when rejected. This emotional pain is most clearly revealed in the life of Jesus, who weeps, pleads, and ultimately dies to bring the lost back.
It is important for us to know that whilst God is not a man Num 23:19, He does experience suffering by His own choice Psalm 135:6. He wants to open Himself up to true love and the pain that comes with it.
God is terribly hurt when any leave Him. Many choose to harden their heart and love what is evil.
John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
It is important for us to know that whilst God is not a man Num 23:19, He does experience suffering by His own choice Psalm 135:6. He wants to open Himself up to true love and the pain that comes with it.
God is terribly hurt when any leave Him. Many choose to harden their heart and love what is evil.
John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
1. God’s Heart Grieves Over Sin and Rebellion
- Genesis 6:6 (ESV)
"And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart."- God feels grief deep in His heart over human wickedness.
- This shows emotional pain—not just judgmental detachment.
2. God Is Brokenhearted Over Israel's Unfaithfulness
- Jeremiah 2:5 (NIV)
"This is what the Lord says: 'What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me?'"- God's rhetorical question reveals bewilderment and sorrow.
- Jeremiah 3:19-20 (NIV)
"I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me."- God uses marital imagery to express the pain of betrayal.
3. God Expresses Longing, Like a Parent for a Wayward Child
- Hosea 11:1-4, 8 (NIV)
"When Israel was a child, I loved him... But the more they were called, the more they went away from me...
How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?... My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused."- God is torn with inner turmoil, not detached or indifferent.
- His compassion battles His wrath.
4. Jesus Weeps Over Rejection
- Luke 19:41-42 (ESV)
"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!'"- Jesus (God incarnate) weeps over Jerusalem's rejection.
- His tears reflect God's broken heart over a people who turn away.
5. Jesus Laments Like a Mother Hen
- Matthew 23:37 (ESV)
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"- God's longing to protect and gather is met with rejection, leading to sorrow.
6. The Holy Spirit Is Grieved
- Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."- God the Holy Spirit experiences grief when believers sin or stray.
- Grieving implies emotional pain, not mechanical displeasure.
7. God Desires None to Perish
- 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
"The Lord... is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."- God's desire for repentance shows that every lost soul pains Him.
- His patience reflects long-suffering love.
8. God's Pain Expressed in the Parables of Jesus
- Luke 15: The Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son
- These parables show intense joy when the lost return, implying deep sorrow when they are gone.
- Especially the Father in the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20):
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion..."- God watches, waits, and feels compassion long before the return.