On this Fathers’ Day, Mark spoke about our heavenly Father and His desire to provide for and bless His children. There are many qualities associated with being a good father, including being a good listener, an encourager, a good leader and someone who can be relied upon, not to mention being a taxi-driver and mender of broken things! A child who is secure because of good parents doesn’t have to worry, and Jesus reminds us that we have a heavenly Father who knows our needs and provides for them (Matt 6:25-34), so there is no need for us to worry. The Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) reminds us that our Father in heaven is our regular provider of all our needs; He forgives us and delivers us from evil as well as being strong and mighty to save.
Even if we have lost our earthly fathers or never have experienced the security and love of an earthly father, God is a father to the fatherless (Ps 68:5) and because He is an everlasting Father (Is 9:6), He is the constant presence in our life, the One who gives appropriate provision for our lives (Matt 7:7-11) – fishfinger sandwiches, perhaps?! Certainly, James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father (Js 1:17), reminding us that He is constant in His benevolence, constant even though we are often wavering, indecisive and variable.
Paul reminds the Corinthians of God’s promise that He will be a father to us, giving us the rights of sons and daughters. (2 Cor 6:18) God the Father has lavished His love on us (1 Jn 3:1), with the result that we are the children of God. Our identity is secure in Him.