CLOSENESS OF THE FATHER
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” And “I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:16b, 18 (NIV)
A Father to the fatherless, a Defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.
Psalm 68:5 (NIV)
At a recent men’s retreat, I was guided to remember childhood experiences with my earthly father. I remembered the loneliness I felt when my dad was at work during the day. I remember feeling scared, especially when I would say or do something that would trigger my mom to some level of rage. I also remember being anxious at school. Who would take care of me? I asked God to show me where He was during that time. He reminded me how He revealed Himself to me through people at church. He reminded me of the overwhelming feeling of love I experienced when I learned Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment I deserved and rose from the dead to bring me new life. I remember feeling a sense of assurance that, no matter what, I would always be with the Father.
Why do so many of us feel anxious and alone, even if our dads were doing the best they could? Then it hit me… God is everywhere all the time, all at once, and can Father us like no one else. Our earthly fathers can’t possibly father us like God can. I remember as a child asking God to take care of me, and the sense of peace when I heard Him say, I will be with you, and I will take care of you. I began to lose my fear of being alone. I remember learning to trust God would take care of me. He was Fathering me. I had become His child.
By the way, at the end of the men’s retreat, one of the leaders read a verse over us to conclude the retreat. It was Jeremiah 1:19 (NLT), “They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Wow! God showed me He had written those exact words for all of us long ago, but that day, He showed me He had spoken them into my heart as a child and reminded me that He is a Father who is always close.
APPLICATION: Ask God to put thoughts in your mind of what He wants to say to you as your Father.
PRAYER: Father, thanks for being my Dad and always being close. Remind me what You want me to know today. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?