“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 NASB
Father. The very word itself raises up many emotions as we look forward to this coming Sunday, and the celebration of ‘fathers’ on Father’s Day.
Some grew up with fathers that we loved and admired, not perfect men, but men who did the best they could to provide for us, protect us, to be good examples, and to teach us. Men who were our heroes when we were little and our cheerleaders and coaches as we grew older. Good men. Loving men. Men who in their imperfect way, still embodied the love of our Heavenly Father through their actions.
Some had absentee fathers, who weren’t around much, and didn’t invest much time into our lives. ‘Disney Dads’ who tried to substitute time with money, trips, or ‘fun times’, but would never invest the kind of time and love that their children’s hearts yearned and longed for.
Some had fathers who were hard, mean, cruel or even evil. Men who never learned how to love or how to express it. Harsh taskmasters who thought that imposing their will and commanding control was the way to control a child, never sparing the rod and instilling fear. High expectations and conditional love, that is not love at all.
Some had no father at all in the home – leaving a huge gap in their lives. Some were fortunate to have other ‘fathers’ bless their lives. Grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles, brothers, and mentors. Men who cared - and took the time to be a ‘father to the fatherless.’
No matter what our situation, we all have the same promise from our Heavenly Father, who is the Lord Almighty … “I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.” Let’s repeat this truth to ourselves, over and over until it sinks in! Whether we’ve had a good father, an absentee father, a bad father, a strict father, a substitute father, or no father at all … HE, GOD, is our father! His love is complete, unconditional, and NEVER fails. He is our provider and protector. And He NEVER leaves us nor forsakes us.
Let’s pray together as we approach this Sunday: Father God, thank you for our earthly fathers, and for those who stood in their place when ours couldn’t or wouldn’t. Please bless them for doing their best to represent You and Your Father’s heart to us. Thank you for healing our hearts and the hearts of those in our lives who desperately desired to know the love of a Father. Thank you for loving us perfectly, individually, and unconditionally. In Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Vice President
National Day of Prayer Task Force