When you think about God, what image—what words—come to mind?
For many, we picture a judge, a distant authority, watching over everything we do. We see a God who is holy and set apart, urging us to do what is right and disciplining us when we don’t.
He is just and sovereign. But He is also loving and gracious—and hopefully, you’ve experienced His love and His grace through the gift of salvation.
But did you know He is tender and gentle, too?
When I read Hosea 11:4, it stopped me in my tracks. I’ve studied many of God’s attributes of love: kindness, faithfulness, mercy, forgiveness, patience, and unconditional love. But I had never thought of Him as tender or gentle until I read this:
“I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.”
— Hosea 11:4 (NIV)
“To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek…”
Wow.
As a mom, I know exactly what that feels like. I lift up my little child—who needs me to care for her needs and feed her—and I hold her close in love. She is so precious. I press her cheek to mine, letting her know I am here, I love her, I care for her, and I will take care of what she needs. It’s a special closeness and intimacy that can only be experienced between a parent and a child.
While this verse was written to Israel, recalling God’s faithfulness even as they rebelled, it reveals this gentle aspect of His character—His heart. He is the same God today as He was then. He still loves us like this. We are His children, and He longs to hold us close, cheek to cheek, assuring us that we are His and that He loves us unconditionally.
Have you felt this kind of intimacy with God?
Have you let Him get this close to you?
Do you relate to Him more as a distant judge, rather than as your ever-present, ever-loving Father?
Lift up your arms to Him today.
See Him bending down to lift you up—bringing you cheek to cheek—so you may know you are His beloved child.
🙏 Short Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for being more than holy and just—you are tender, kind, and near. Help me to see You not as distant, but as a loving parent who draws me close. Lift me into Your arms today. Remind me that I am Yours. Press Your love into my spirit and let me rest in the gentle warmth of being held by You.
Amen.