GOD THE FATHER: The Lover of His Family

“O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:25-26)

Human fathers are not perfect fathers. Some are horrible—they may abandon their children; they may be mean and abusive.  Don’t let that color your view of God the Father, if that was your misfortune.  He is nothing like such wicked men.

A good father is one that loves us—it is heard in his words and seen in his works.  In this, the Heavenly Father is the ultimate.  He’s a good, good Father—the best. God our Father is perfect love.

Jesus speaks in this text of the intimate love relationship He had with His Father and that every believer is invited to experience.

There are two evidences of love I think of when I think of God the Father.

God loves us as OUR PROVIDER.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt.6:26)

If God feeds the fowls of the air, will He not feed His children?  If He clothes the flowers of the field, will He not clothe His children?  We need not worry.  Earthly fathers provide for their family—yet, they may be limited in what they can do.  Not so with God!

God loves us as OUR PROTECTOR.

“And he said: ‘The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.’” (2 Sam.22:2-4)

David testifies to God’s protection. He had protected him when lions attacked the flock he shepherded.  God stood by him when he fought the giant Goliath.  When Saul chased him like a hound after a fox, all over the Judean wilderness, the Lord preserved David.  As King, leading his troops into battle after battle God shielded him.  God will take care of you! I know as a father I will do all I can to keep my family safe.  How much more the good and great Father in heaven who is both willing and able to do so!