Our minister shared that no matter what his kids do, he is still good to them. I was reminded of the many times I messed up and my Dad always loved me. He always saw the best in me. He always wanted the best for me. Even when I was punished, I always knew he loved me. He forgave me over and over. He loved me unconditionally. He protected me. He loved time spent together! He was proud to call me his daughter. We joke that my dad thought I was perfect (he was the only one!) I remember when he died I thought no one else will ever think I am close to perfect. And I was right. He was a good, good father!
I believe God gave us family units so that we would understand our role as His children. He draws comparisons between earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. If an earthly father, who is flawed and limited, can offer good things to his children then think about what our Heavenly Father can offer.
Our Heavenly Father is all powerful and all knowing. Isaiah 40: 28-29, “Do you not know?
Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Imagine how excited our Heavenly Father is to spend time with us. John 14: 2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Our Heavenly Father always loves us. John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He always forgives us. Hebrews 8: 12, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” He wants the best for us. Jeremiah 29: 11, “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He loves us unconditionally. Romans 8: 38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He protects us. 1 Corinthians 13: 7, “It always protects…”
Our Heavenly Father is proud to call us his children. 1 John 3: 1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Matthew 7: 11, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" I believe those "good things" are love, joy, peace, wisdom, etc. Notice it says, "to those who ask him"! Jesus encourages us to pray. He wants us to bring our desires and hopes to God. The gifts we receive are for one purpose and that is to build up the body of Christ. That is what we are here to do.
We can trust that if do not receive what we have requested that our Heavenly Father has a better plan. His way will be better. His ways are not our ways. Isaiah 55: 8-9, "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord." When we accept that we are the children and our Father knows best we will have peace and confidence. We can always, always trust God to answer our requests wisely. Sometimes our answers will take a long time but we have to have faith to keep asking. That will develop hope, more faith and perseverance. We can be confident that God has a plan for us and a purpose for our lives. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Think of the things that you have done or what you have become that you would have never believed! I know that 19 year old girl would have never believed she would be writing Christian blogs! And He is not finished with me yet!
If we continue asking and seeking then we will draw closer to God. The closer we draw to Him the more we will see things from His perspective. Then we can align our hearts with His plans and purposes for us. I am reminded of the words we sing at church, Chris Tomlin’s song, “Good Good Father”, “You're a good, good father. It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you.” Thank Him today for the special “father’s" in your life.