Yesterday was celebrated as Father’s day in many countries all over the world. Back at my church, a special service was held in honour of fathers and during the service gifts were given to all who were present. I also called my dad on phone to greet him on the occassion. I am not a father yet but I have friends whom I have seen expressing the joy of fatherhood. I can hardly describe the excitement they feel, especially at the birth of their children, and much more, watching them grow over the years.
I am quite sure the same is felt by our heavenly Father. We see in the scriptures that the purpose of God is to have us as sons,
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. – Eph 1:5 (NLT)
The scripture records that this is God’s great pleasure. I try to imagine how He feels at the time of our “birth,” the moment we believed in Jesus for our salvation,
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13 (KJV)
We are as much as the children of God as we are the children of our earthly fathers, and just as all fathers delight in their children, God is excited about us. He wants to show us off to all of His creation,
“in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” – Eph 1:12 (NIV)
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” – Eph 3:10 (NIV)
And just as fathers plan good things for their children, in the same way our dear Father has awesome plans for us,
“….his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” – 2 Pet 2:3,4 (KJV)
We have an awesome Father and we should praise Him for His love towards us,
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” – 1 John 3:1
If there is anyone, that should be celebrated, not only on Father’s day but on all the days of our life, it is our Lord God.
How do we responde to this?
Spend more time with Him. Just as we want to relate with our children, God looks forward to moments of worship and fellowship with you. He loves you. Why do you think the sun rises every morning? It is because the Father looks forward to a day of fellowship with you.
Thank Him for His gifts. Nothing delights parents more than thank you’s from their children. Though we are talking about fathers, mothers feel a great delight when you let them know how delicious their meal was. Whenever God does something for you, and He does all the time, let Him know how great this is.
Tell Him how much you love Him. Though fathers do not display their emotions to their children all the time, their heart cannot resist an “I love you daddy!” from their children. Tell God you love Him, and really do.
Dear brothers and sisters, we have an awesome Father who loves us dearly. He paid the highest price for us, His only son, that He may have many other sons.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” – Rom 8:32 (KJV)
Think about His love. The only was by which we can appreciate God’s love, His Fatherhood,is when we mediatate on it. Then you will come to be filled with reverence and love for a Father that gave so much to demonstrate His love to us.
Peace is with you!
