Psalm 68:5 reads: “A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”
Of all the ways the Lord God Almighty could have chosen to relate to humanity, He chose the language of family. He could have described Himself as a Benevolent King, a kind boss or a patient teacher. But instead, He chose the word “Father.”
I did not have a good father, and many of us don’t. That makes Fathers Day hard for some people. But even if we didn’t have an earthly father who treated us well, we all still have an intrinsic understanding of what a good father should be. God planted that understanding in our hearts.
We all have a need to be loved, cherished, protected, and valued. Ideally, an earthly father will meet those needs. But even if he doesn’t, God will.
I wasn’t told by my father that he loved me and was proud of me until I was 46 years old. I never felt loved or valued by my father, and he always treated other kids better than me. He was physically and verbally abusive to me. He seemed to value my brother and shower love upon him, and I was always jealous of that. And because of that I also felt much bitterness and hatred toward my brother.
Jesus taught His followers to address God as Father (Luke 11:2). Throughout Scripture, God describes His love for us as that of a caring parent (Isaiah 49:15; John 16:26-27; 2 Corinthians 6:18). Although He possesses characteristics of both father and mother (Isaiah 66:13), He chooses the masculine word because it also denotes strength, protection, and provision (Psalm 54:4).
God has a special place in His heart for the orphans and fatherless (Deut. 24:20; Jer. 49:11; James 1:27). Psalm 27:10 says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” God knows that many times earthly fathers have been absent or have not done their job (Eph. 6:4). He offers to fill the role of a father (John 6:37; Deut. 1:31). He invites us to call out to Him when we are in trouble (Psalm 50:15). To cast our worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7), and to enjoy His company (1 Cor. 1:9, 1 John 5:14).
He models for us the characteristics He had in mind when He designed fatherhood. Although many times earthly fathers do not live up to the ideal, God promises that, in Him, no one has to be without a perfect Father.
Regardless of whether or not you had a father, or you had one and he wasn’t there for you, or he was abusive... know that our Heavenly Father loves you beyond words and values you so highly that He sent His own Son to die for you. The love of our heavenly Father is unconditional, irreplaceable, and everlasting. He is a good, good father!
Last Update: Jun 25, 2017 10:54 pm CDT
