My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace
This chorus captures the Father’s love so wonderfully. Unending love…love without an expiration date. A boundless love that rains mercy and favor on His own. Yes, on His own…for we are children of the Father.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ “
John 20:17 (Amp)
God, the Father…and if you be in Christ, your Father and my Father.
Father…a word that evokes emotion and expectation. Father…what do you make of it? Often times as children, we see our fathers as superheroes. As far as our little minds are concerned, our fathers are these strong invincible men, who will always be there to play with us, protect us and fiercely guard our honor. And while this may be reality for some, it is not a reality for many. It is not the reality of the one who never got to meet their father. It is not the reality of the one whose father walked away and closed the door to any semblance of a relationship. It is not the reality of the one who was hurt and abused by the very person who was supposed to be their safe place. And it is not the reality of the one who grew up with their father but did not really know him. So, if this is your reality, how do you then reconcile your fallen view of a father with that of the Father? How do you receive a love whose concept is foreign to you? If your own flesh and blood rejected you, how will this unseen Father accept you with all your faults and sins? If your own father let you down, how do you put your trust in this Father?
I am convinced that our child-like view of what fatherhood is, is in fact a seed sown by God, telling us who He is to us. But, we misdirect that seed, and expect a man, flesh and blood, to be and to do what only our Father can be and do.
Who is Your Father?
1. He is your Rest
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
2. He is your safe place
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 (NIV)
3. He is your Covering
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:3-12
4. He is your Enabler
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Psalm 91:13
5. He is your Protector
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)
6. He is your Provider
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
7. He is your Guide
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)
8. He is your Forever Companion
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4( NIV)
9. He is your Lifter
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5 (NIV)
10. He is your Forever
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23:6(NIV)
Your Turn
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This then is how you should pray:
” ‘ Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.‘
Matthew 6: 6-13 (NIV)