Remembering Our Father
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” — I John 3:1
Many of us in the United States celebrated Father’s Day recently. As a nation we honor our Dads with gifts, cards, and cookouts. I hope you had the chance to spend some time with a father figure in your life this weekend and thank him for his influence in your life. But as we thank our fathers, we should take time to focus on our Heavenly Father.
One thing I have been working on lately is seeing God as my father. I don’t know about you, but when I think about God, I tend to picture the vast expanse of the night sky, the microscopic complexities hidden within the cells of a human body, or how He can measure the waters of all the oceans in the palm of His hand. Now, while the majesty and power of God are things we need to stand in awe of, here in the wake of Father’s Day is an excellent time to dwell on some of God’s other characteristics.
God is not only the absolute ruler of the universe, he also notices when a single sparrow falls. God is to be feared and respected as the King of Kings, but He is not an untouchable monarch: he is as close as the mention of his name. Though he is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, he is also Abba Father, who loves giving good gifts to his children.
Like every good father, God cares about the smallest details of our lives. He never sleeps or takes his eyes of his children; he has every hair on their head numbered. He knows what we need before we ask, and yet he wants us to share all our needs with him, as well as our troubles and joys. God is not a distant cosmic being who is too preoccupied with running the universe to listen to the cries of humanity. He is a loving father who delights in His children.
Ur so right, we have His immediate attention just by the mention of His name. Taking time to meditate on that alone, is the beginning of the relationship He wants to have with us. He is always there, waiting. It is our part to welcome Him. I’ve been reminded of an old song lately:
He was there all the time,
He was there all the time,
Waiting patiently in line,
He was there all the time.
Let’s hope He’s made it to first in your line! Great topic!
On fathers day pastor Hanson was preaching about fathers and what was on my mind that day was not just my earthly dad it was my heavenly father. Today is fathers day and I want my heavenly father to be happy as well as my earthly father. I want to give my heavenly father all that I have to give. I never want to leave him nor forsake him. He is my father and he knows the beginning and the ending. Time is in his hands. Every tear that falls he holds in his hands. He needs to be first and we need to submit to him. Like pastor Hanson said we need to submit to our fathers. Not only our earthly father but our heavenly father.
I find that a tough concept to comprehend too. It is “too wonderful.” If we can get it in our hearts I’m sure it will have wonderful repercussions.