Father!

This CoffeeBreak is one from the archives, but I felt impressed in my heart to remind you of God’s care today. Whatever you are going through, wherever you are, you need not feel alone, because you have a Good, Good Father. Read on …

I love the way my son, Sean, prioritizes family time, providing quality experiences and emotional for his children.  His faithful work in ‘fathering’ is giving his children real advantages in shaping whole and healthy lives. (PS- Moms are wonderful and I equally recognize applaud those women who love and care for kids heroically.) It is a fact that children who have a loving, involved Dad are doubly blessed. We know that children without an engaged, supportive father are more likely to live in poverty, to become involved with bad behavior, to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to drop out of school. We need to strengthen families, to help parents make their relationship strong so that children can reap the benefits.

Jesus in His model prayer begins, “Our Father in Heaven…”  Oh, that we would shape our prayers similarly.  More than God, or Lord, or Great One – He is relational; our Father! What a profound revelation. Of all the names and titles of God, Jesus reveals Him first as Father. In Matthew 7, that is expanded in meaning.  Jesus says  “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT) I hope you feel His care, that you are able to lean on Him without wondering if He will show up or care!

Isaiah also teaches us about our Father. "O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, NIV) 

When you pray does your heart open to a caring Father, or do you respectfully feel distance because you think of Him as King? Do you primarily think of Him as the “Boss,” fear Him as Judge, or beg Him because He is more like an ATM dispensing favors if the right code is entered?  

The wonder of our faith is that God knows us, cares for us.  With the faith to accept Him as our Father, we are ready to spiritually grow into maturity, able to trust Him, and we find a place of secure rest in our turbulent world.  Many who worship the Lord call Him “Father” but they do not love Him as such. Perhaps this is related to being ‘fathered’ poorly or not having an earthly father. Perhaps it is because of an abusive father. Or perhaps we just fail to understand what it means to trust His Fathering love. 

I often use the word, “Abba” when I pray, a word that Paul uses for God. Less formal, indicating a close relationship, it’s like calling God, “Dad.”  Here is the passage-  "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)  I grew up with a strong father who I naturally called, “Dad.” But, I grew into another relationship with my father-in-law over time. In time it became natural to call him, “Dad,” too. Similarly, we can grow from God, our Father;  to God, our Abba.

There is one more part of fathering that I want us to think about for a moment before we go today . In a solid parental relationship, it is not all ‘bless you, wonderful child.’ Parents show love by providing appropriate boundaries and discipline. Earthly Dads don’t always get it right. I know that some of the ‘discipline’ of my children happened less for their correction and more because they frustrated me or because I was fatigued and/or impatient. 

Our Abba never acts because He is in a bad mood.  He will discipline us, sometimes sternly when needed, but always for our best.  Here is the truth -  "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" (Hebrews 12:7-9, NIV)

When you read of the Father-heart of God in the Holy Scripture, ask the Spirit to reveal the depth of Abba’s love to you.  That is one of the most healing truths in all of the Word.  Know this – God is not the dreaded Authority Figure who is watching for your failure so He can punish you.  He is the Waiting Father, (see Luke 15)  whose grace is amazing, whose mercy is deep and wide, and who acts always for your ultimate good. When that is settled into your heart and mind, you will pray with faith, live with peace, and find richer relationships in this world that rest in the security of your intimate love of the Father.

Our word from the Word is the prayer that Jesus taught us-

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need, and
forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)

__________________

Good, Good Father  

(a worshipful presentation of this song by HouseFires)

 

I've heard a thousand stories

Of what they think You’re like

But I've heard the tender whisper

Of love in the dead of night

You tell me that You’re pleased

And that I'm never alone

 

You're a Good Good Father

It's who You are

It's who You are

It's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am

It's who I am

It's who I am

 

I've seen many searching for answers

Far and wide

But I know we're all searching for answers

Only You provide

Because You know just what we need

Before we say a word

 

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

 

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak

Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

Into love love love

 

You're a Good Good Father

It's who You are

It's who You are

It's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am

It's who I am

It's who I am

 

Anthony Brown | Pat Barrett

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