Happy Father's Day

This coming Sunday is Father’s day. Happy Father’s Day to all of you dads! As Christians the God we believe in is not only the Creator of the heavens and the earth, He is not only a righteous Judge, He is our Father. The New Testament declares that we can call God “Abba, Father (Galatians 4:6). By the way, “Abba” is Aramaic for “Daddy.”

As your Father, God loves you. He loves each and every one of us, passionately and deeply and forever. We have this truth confirmed to us by the Son of God himself, Jesus Christ. In his high priestly prayer before his sacrifice on the cross for our sins Jesus prayed that we would know that God, our Father, loves us just as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23). Take this to heart—God loves you just as much as He loves Jesus, the only Man who has ever loved Him with his whole heart.

Take comfort in that truth. You have done nothing to earn this love. And you can do nothing to lose it. God simply loves you “according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5).” In other words, He loves you because it pleases Him to do so! And God proved His love to us in a tangible way. Scripture says that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” When we had nothing to offer God, He gave and sacrificed deeply for us. This is the mark of a Father’s love.

Here are some Father’s day tips on being a good Dad:

1. Patience – Psalm 86:15 says “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”

Be patient with your children. Good fathers understand the difference between immaturity and rebellion. Give your children time and opportunity to mature.

2. Provision – Psalm 23:1 declares, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Good fathers desire to provide for their children in both material and spiritual things. Not only do children need food, clothing and shelter, they need to see love, kindness, and forgiveness. They need to see you loving and serving God. Fathers are to bring up their children “in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).”

3. Protection – Psalm 46:1 reveals “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

There are a lot of things in life designed to harm your children both physically and spiritually. While your child or children are young you are to be their shield. But as they grow teach them to discern right from wrong and good from evil. Help them to understand Scripture, the will of the Lord (Ephesians 5:17).

4. Permanence – Hebrews 13:5 proclaims of God, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Dad, make sure your children know that you are there for them through good times and bad. Make sure they know that you are a solid rock they can count on. Being patient, providing provision, protection and the permanence of your love will help your children to one day love and trust their heavenly Father.

And one last thing—love your wife devotedly. Scripture says to husbands, “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).” Joyfully loving your wife is one of the best things you can do for the heart of your children.

Happy Father’s Day!