Father’s Day is a joyful celebration for most but not for all. After my father died I dreaded Father's day because it was far from joyful. I think of those who are hurting this weekend. Especially, those who are going through a “first” Father’s Day without a special someone in their life. I pray for those who have lost a child or a grandchild, those who have lost a father or a grandfather, those who long to be a father, those who have no relationship with their father, children or their grandchildren, those who did not have a "godly" father and those who are hurting.
Whatever pain you are enduring, you are not alone. God, Himself, endured the horrible death of His only Son. Psalm 10: 14, "But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless." God will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13: 5, "“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” He is there for us in times of trouble. Psalm 9: 9, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." God is close to you. Psalm 34: 18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." He knows every tear we shed. Psalm 56: 8, "Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—
are they not in your record?"
I thought of Romans 12: 15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." We can comfort other's just as we have been comforted. Reach out to those who are grieving this Father's Day through a phone call, text, note or prayer. Hebrews 10: 24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together,as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Lot was described in the Bible as a righteous man. 2 Peter 2: 7-8, ",,,and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them,tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—"NKJV Lot disappointed his daughters causing much misery and degraded them. When men from Sodom surrounded his house, demanding sex with his guests, Lot offered his two virgin daughters. Instead of being a father and protector to his daughters he gave into his company. Can you imagine how his daughters felt?
It's easy to forget that all earthly fathers are human and prone to mistakes, just as we are. Maybe a part of us still feels like a needy child, longing for our daddy's love and approval, which may never come. With our Heavenly Father we can calm down and draw strength from just being quiet in His presence. He is waiting to wipe away every tear, watching over us, sitting up with us through the night, listening to our hurts, knowing what is best for us, etc.
We can rejoice that our heavenly Father is perfect and loves us with "an everlasting love" Jeremiah 31: 3, "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ' Yes,I have loved you with an everlasting love;..'" He loves us so much He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. John 3: 16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He will never leave us. Hebrews 13: 5, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." He loves us so much that He calls 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!"
To all of you hurting,this Father's day, I pray a special blessing over you and ask God to pour His peace, that surpasses all understanding, over you!
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