Our daughter was eleven years old when she contracted an often fatal tropical disease. We were living in a remote location literally in the middle of a vast jungle. At first, we thought she just had the flu. But she quickly became dehydrated and listless. On the advice of a doctor contacted via radio, we arranged for an emergency flight to the hospital one hour by air away. Dear Husband dropped everything and carried her limp body to the waiting plane. I stayed at home with our other five children while Husband accompanied our daughter to the mission hospital. In keeping with national methods, the hospital allowed family members to take care of the personal needs of each patient while they were in hospital. Husband stayed by her side 24/7 through days and nights of her raging illness. He quietly watched and prayed while the staff did everything they could to save her life. The boy in the next room died of the same disease, adding to our distress. Do you think her dad would have chosen not to be with her? Of course, not! He wouldn’t have left her or begrudged his time for anything in the world. He gladly left his important job to take on the job of helping his beloved daughter. Did you know that our Heavenly Father is just like that? He runs to our aid and nothing could keep him away. Happy ending: God graciously spared her life.
Remember all the stories of Jesus compassionately and willingly healing the sick, the crippled, the deaf, and the blind? He wanted to help the suffering. He never healed begrudgingly even though everywhere he went people stood in line to be helped. Remember the Gospel stories of him associating with folks with bad reputations? He never avoided people who had made bad decisions over and over. He was actually drawn to those with problems. His heart is so kind that he tenderly seeks out those who are hurting. 
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16
The stories he told expressed his feelings about those who had failed to be good. He delighted in coming close and sorting out their mess. Our need draws him. That’s his kind heart. That’s who he is. Fixing is what he delights in doing.
Seeking the one lost sheep and celebrating it, not punishing it
Welcoming the prodigal back home without shaming him
Forgiving the woman having an affair and setting her on a better course
Giving the woman who was divorced multiple times a rock solid promise
Calling less than impressive men to follow him who would later change the world
Befriending a cheater and traitor who would write a book of the Bible
Bursting in on a murderer and persecutor not to give him his just retribution, but to invite him to come close.
Knowing that his close friend would leave him when he needed him most, Jesus let him know that there was hope on the other side of failure. Jesus didn’t accuse him with, ‘How could you do this to me?’. Instead, Jesus tenderly gave him a glimpse of the bigger picture, ‘When you come back, I have work for you to do. You’re going to blow it. But you’re going to come back and when you do, I have a plan for you anyway.’ But Peter was confident of his loyalty and said, ‘Don’t worry, Lord. I’ve got your back. I won’t have anything to repent of.’” My paraphrased version
“So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:32-34
It’s three weeks into the new year. How are you doing on your good intentions/resolutions? Has life worn down your resolve a little? Have you felt the sting of failure? Or did you decide not to even try to make resolutions this year because you already knew your pattern of falling short? What if you understood that God isn’t watching you and sighing in disgust saying, “She did that again?!”? What if you knew that the Lord Jesus is watching empathetically? And even better, he’s coming to your aid because that’s what he yearns to do? Jesus delights in coming to us at our worst and lovingly, optimistically setting us back on the right path. He loves to come alongside us when we’re hurting and provide what we desperately need. It’s his nature. 
The next time I’m fearful, I know who will be beside me providing courage. The next time I’m feeling like a failure, I know who won’t feel that my failings disqualify me. The next time I’m hurting, I know who will come near to comfort and strengthen. The next time life’s troubles seem overwhelming, I know who will come close and give me peace. The next time I need a big dose of help, I know who delights in giving it generously. King David felt the same way.
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:4-7,18-22