We are shaped by our father. For better or worse our earthly father has made a massive impact in our lives. In America, about 40% of children will go to bed tonight in a home without a dad. And for those who do have a dad, many are bad dads, some hurtful or even abusive. As a dad, it breaks my heart to see so many children destroyed by either the absence of a dad or by a bad dad.
For most people I know, our imperfect earthly father distorts the idea of fatherhood. For this reason I invite us to look to the Bible to discover what fatherhood is suppose to be about. Did you know that God calls himself our father?
Scripture tells us that, for Christians, God is our Heavenly Father (Matt. 5:16, 5:48, 6:9, 6:26, 23:9; John 8:41; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6). Unlike our earthly dad, our holy Heavenly Father is sinless and perfectly loving. Our Heavenly Father is merciful (Luke 6:36) and forgiving (Matt. 6:14; Mark 11:25). He knows what we need (Matt. 6:32), even before we ask him (Matt. 6:8) and he gives us good gifts (Matt. 7:11).
He chose us (1 Pet. 1:2) because he loves us (1 John 3:1). When we hurt, he comforts our hearts (2 Thess. 2:16–17) and gives us grace and peace (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2). Thankfully, he is in control of everything—even a sparrow can’t fall to the ground apart from him (Matt. 10:29). And his will is for none of his children to perish (Matt. 18:14).
Scripture affirms time and time again, that all who are in Christ have been adopted by God as sons and daughters. Let us remember this beautiful truth in Romans 8:14–17:
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
The term “Abba” denotes a very intimate, loving relationship—one that cannot be separated or broken. We are invited to call upon our Abba, Daddy, to help us in our times of need. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been experiencing one of the hardest seasons of my life. It gives me great joy to know that I can go to my Abba, Daddy, and cry out for comfort.
My prayer for our church
Jesus instructed us in Matthew 6:9–13 that when we pray, to 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 this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
I’m praying for our Heavenly Father’s will to be done in and through Mars Hill Church. May we be the people he desires us to be—his will be done in our lives. May we trust him to provide for us in our need and empower us to live for Jesus as we receive the grace of forgiveness and give the grace of forgiveness. May we not give in to temptation and sin but rather walk by the Spirit and grow in love for one another.
I hope this week you will be encouraged by your Heavenly Father and that you would lean into his love for comfort. He is with you, with arms open wide.
