God: What Is Our Image?

Isaiah 66:12-13 – For this is what the Lord says… "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

Yesterday, we began talking about our image of God. We're all used to thinking of God as "Our Father, who art in heaven". We may not be quite so familiar with the images of God being like a mother, as revealed to Isaiah in today's scripture. Jesus also wept over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37)

The as-yet-unpublished new Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church In Canada contains a hymn, Bring Many Names, that makes full use of the many beautiful, biblical expressions of God:

Strong mothering God, beautiful and good,

(I needed to be on your knee for awhile today God – it felt good.);

Warm father God, hugging every child,

(Were you there in my embrace as I bid my youngest goodnight?);

Old aching God, grey with endless care

(Yes, Lord I saw you in Earl today as he tried to get up when I came to visit!);

Young, growing God, eager, on the move

(Hey! didn't I see you in my children last night!)

Prayer: Great, living God, never fully known, we come to you again this day and praise you for the wonder and diversity we find in you. Grant us a fuller vision of you as we walk through this day. Amen.

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