Our Father in Heaven

Written June 20, 2010, for TDDM.org

----------------

"A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation." -Psalm 68:5 (NASB)

Father's Day.  For some, it is a day of playing catch, fishing on the edge of a river, going for a hike, or just hanging out with Dad.  Younger children enthusiastically present cards into which much artistic ambition and love was poured, and perhaps older offspring treat their dad to dinner or a ball game.  Whatever the plans, it is a day that reminds fathers and children alike of how much they really do care for each other- something easily forgotten in today's fast-paced culture.

But what about those among us who are not in touch with their fathers?  Think of remarriages, where the children perhaps call their new dad by his first name, or where he is constantly held to the standards set by the previous man of the house.  "Dad would let me stay out until 11!" "How come you're always so much stricter than Dad was?"  For these people, there might be some bitterness packaged with the celebration.  Think of families where the parents are split up, and tensions are high between Mom and Dad.  Think of families where Dad went off to war... and never came back.  To them, perhaps Father's Day brings an entirely different set of emotions.

Every child needs a father.  Fathers provide discipline, guidance, encouragement, and most importantly, love.  God intends for Mom and Dad to work together, providing a home where children are not allowed to learn everything the hard way, but aren't trained to be little mechanical angels, motivated into obedience by fear.  Unfortunately, many children today are being raised in a home where Daddy is frequently absent, not involved in his kids' lives, or missing from the picture altogether.  Where can kids who don't have a dad to look up to find the counsel they need?

When Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He started with "Our Father."  This is amazing!  The God who created the universe- the planets, the animals, the intricate microscopic organisms- is the God who created each one of us, and He wants us to call Him "Daddy"!  When you come to realize that God loves you infinitely more than any of your family or friends will ever be able to, you make Him the first One to whom you take all your problems, all your concerns, all your joys, and all your burdens.  He becomes your primary source of comfort and hope; through prayer and the study of His Word, you will receive the guidance each of us need for our daily struggles.  He will discipline you, too, as does any loving father... but the peace He provides results in the ability to accept that discipline and learn from it.   Friend, whether you have a father you can look up to or not, I can tell you that the only role model who will never let you down is our Father in heaven.  Right this very minute, He is knocking on the door of your heart, asking you to open up to Him.  This Father's Day, I encourage you to do just that; place your trust in God.  He is the Father who will never leave you nor forsake you, and He is waiting to shower you with the affection that only a daddy can give.