Father Figure
Like illustrated in the photo - God carries, comforts, and takes care of you because He’s a good Father!
Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.”
You may not have a good relationship with your dad or your dad may have passed away, which for both of those things I am very sorry. I don’t know your story, but either way, I know some part of you must long for that connection with your father. A part of you may wish for that confidence, security and love/bond that should come with having a dad.
What if I told you that there is a Father that you can look to and find comfort in?
A Father that is perfect and will never leave His children. Who loves you beyond measure and tells you that you are His masterpiece. One that you can trust fully to be there for you no matter what. He is the heavenly Father that is known to be “a father to the fatherless.” A Father that gives His children a home, purpose, and hope! Get to know this Father in your hurt and longing- He will not disappoint! He is waiting with arms wide open to welcome you into the family. In 1 John 3:1 it states, “see what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” He “sets the lonely in families” by bringing people into His family when they believe in Him. Even if you have all your family, you still have a heavenly one since God sent His only Son to live a perfect life and die on a cross to save people from their sins. Jesus (His son) rose from the dead so that we could have eternal life with Him as His children! It is illustrated through baptism how sins are washed away and the Holy Spirit comes to live within God’s people.Romans 8:14-17 says, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” Therefore, you won’t need to fear that you will be abandoned or unloved because you receive “a spirit of adoption.” You are His forever! The Holy Spirit is a part of the Father, so He gives you some of Himself to live within you, showing you how good a Father He is. Through the heavenly Father and His Spirit, and since you are His child, you inherit the fruits of the Spirit that are recorded in Galatians 5:22-23.The verses say, “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..” Galatians 5:22-23 shows that:
1. He provides so much more than your earthly dad can provide.
2. He provides the intangible things you need to get through.
He also provides the physical things just as a dad does. Matthew 6:25-26 states, “therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on…Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” The biggest challenge is to not put the characteristics of your earthly father onto your heavenly Father. Your earthly father might be critical and judgmental leading you to feel unaccepted, as if you will never measure up to his expectations. Yet we have a heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally!
You will always be accepted by Him and are worthy just because you are His child.
Your heavenly Father knows when you are scared or angry, and that you worry about how things will work out without the support that a dad is supposed to give. But God knows what you need, when you need it, and exactly how to provide it. He basically says, “I see you and I will provide for you because you are important to Me.” He takes care of the whole world and yet is so intentional to be with you when you struggle with your emotions or trials. Isaiah 25:4 states, “for you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat..” A stronghold is “a place that has been fortified as to be protected from an attack.” Your heavenly Father is known to be a protector and helper, and He will be just that for you! When times in your life are dark or you feel like you can’t catch a break, He is the one you can run to. He can be your “shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.” He gives you relief and comfort like no other! All you need to do is go to Him! Find security in your heavenly Father knowing that His Spirit will never leave you. He will guide you and provide everything you need!