A father is a founder, a leader and a custodian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:26. God is our origin. He is the source, thus our Father since he created us in His image and likeness. A father is a leader. He upholds and supports his children during each stage of their lives. God leads us through life issues. Guiding and supporting us in the mandate He has commissioned us. A father is vitally involved in the upbringing of their children. God has overall control over our lives.
The Father’s love is kind, patient, protective and also disciplines.
Kind. A father deals with his children compassionately. God the Father is benevolent towards us. He shows us mercy even when we don’t deserve it, his love does not allow us to fall off or despair. His compassion and kindness are portrayed immensely in the life of David. After his anointing as a king, his adversaries rose against him. They were everywhere even in the palace where he was serving King Saul. In other incidences, David went contrary to God’s commands but due to his loving kindness, he showed him compassion and rescued him.
In the book of Ezra, Zerubbabel and other Jews confronted many challenges during the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. They experienced great opposition from the Samaritans their adversaries who hired people to work against them, and to frustrate their plans during the reign of King Cyrus up till the reign of King Darius. Despite all this, God the Father showed them favor with the kings as well as the gentiles. He put in the heart of King Darius to decree that all those who opposed the rebuilding to provide silver, gold and other provisions for the house of God. Additionally, extending his mercy to Zerubbabel even before the king’s advisers and the king’s mighty officials. God being a good Father was faithful to his word. He facilitated the construction and prospered them.
During Paul’s detention as they sailed to Rome, they encountered a tempestuous windstorm that caused a shipwreck. Great fear engulfed them but God demonstrated his kindness and rescued them. He ensured safety for them on the Islands of Malta and allowed the natives to be hospitable to them. Acts 28:2. As a loving Father God is ready to render us his help no matter the storms we encounter. With all life issues, God still stands on his word and shows us unflinching kindness. The grace that carries us through all seasons.
Patient/long-suffering. A father is always patient with his children. Every phase of their lives is a learning experience. He always wishes for them to become better. God brought the Israelite’s through the wilderness to strengthen their faith, to define them as people dedicated to their Father. Often God brings us through circumstances for him to cultivate the attributes he desires of us for our next level.
Prophet Jeremiah withstood so much persecution in his commission from the wicked men of Anathoth and the false prophets, but with persistence God redeemed him. Our Father wants us to get out of the attitude of self-pity and despair to trusting him.
David didn’t go through all the hardships because God hated him, NO! No matter how painful it may seem, just like David, trust the Father. His love is kind and not coarse, he is a good Father. God would not allow us to face things we cannot handle. As sons of God, he desires for us to put on a heart of compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience which empowers us to endure all hardships. Every father knows the unique attributes of every child; their overall competence and when evaluated he knows who can handle what. The same applies to our Father. He is very much aware of our capabilities and always there to help and guide us. He wants us to use the potential that he has put in us to be the person he had intended from the beginning.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Not operating in the attribute of patience, leads to operating in the spirit of pride. King Saul lacked patience when he saw the Philistines assembled at Michmash to fight the Israelite’s and offered a burnt offering that he was forbidden. As a result of his mistake, the Kingdom of Israel was taken away from him due to pride. Be hopeful relying on the strength of God, which is made available to his sons. It’s only through patience that we can bear fruits. Luke 8:15.
Protects. Just like a father would protect his children against any danger, likewise applies to our Father. He hides us underneath his pinions. Where we are safe from the enemy’s prowls.
Jacob left for the land of Canaan back to his father after Laban cheated on him by changing his wages ten times. Laban pursued him and wanted to kill him, but God protected him by revealing himself in a dream, warning him not to harm him. ‘It is in my power to harm you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to speak to Jacob, either good or bad.’ Gen 31:29. Besides that, God also sent angels to minister to Jacob assuring him divine protection in his journey. Genesis 32:1
God, the Father, protected the Israelites while in the desert and took good care of them. As an eagle protects its nest over its young, this is how our Father protects his own for we are the apple of his eyes.
Our Father sends his ministering spirits, his angels to accompany us wherever we go and provide protection. Heb 1:14. Job, a righteous man was highly protected by God. He put a hedge of protection around him, his household and possessions Job 1:10. Noah and his family were also protected when the floods came upon the world. God the Father, is our stronghold. A shield onto his children. He is there to guide, to comfort us in the journey of life as a father does to his children. His power is a shield over us because of our faith 1 Peter 1:5.
Disciplines. A father’s love wants his children to stay on the path of life since he is concerned. He corrects the children he delights in. He wants to see growth and development. Progressing from infancy to childhood, adolescence towards adulthood. He desires to raise responsible children who take heed to his counsel. Those he loves he chastens Prov 3:12. No father claims he loves his children and wherever they go astray he doesn’t discipline them. No child is allowed to graduate without first qualifying. No father would purchase a car for a child who is not yet of age. He has to allow them first to mature.
Children submit to their father while being trained and respect them for that. Our Father corrects and disciplines out of love. He desires for us to share in his holiness. Only illegitimate children are exempted from correction. But we are God’s legitimate children.
Some of us may have gone through a tough or neglectful upbringing. But I would like you to recognize, that our heavenly Father is all that we may need or long for. No love compares to his. The bible says, though our father and mother forsake us, our heavenly Father will never leave us. All that our Father allows us to go through no matter how challenging or harsh it may be, it’s all working for a better future. Have total confidence in the Father’s love.
You may be subjected to trial and suffering but this is his way of training. In this he opens up our ears to instruction which yields the fruits of righteousness, enabling us to act with knowledge and results to honor. Therefore we should not fear when we face trials and think God has abandoned us. Our Father is training us, for, in the end, he will crown us with an imperishable crown. Later, we will look back and appreciate the father for his kind and amazing love.
NB. These are just but a few of His attributes. The Father’s love for you is immeasurable.
Preciousblogs 