The Love of a Good Father

‘The Love of a Good Father’—there is something about that statement isn’t there…

Over the years I haven shared in the joy of countless baby dedications, as well as bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs. I love to watch as new fathers and mothers experience their baby for the very first time. Watching a new father beam with pride as his child is lifted to the heavens to be blessed by God… is a beautiful thing!

I personally was blessed with both an adopted and a biological father who were both very good to me. They were not perfect, but they did their very best with what they had.

As a father myself, and now a proud Saba (Grandfather in Hebrew), I think all too often about both the mistakes I’ve made over the years, and the moments I felt that I succeeded. Still, no matter how much I care, or how hard I try… there are times of failure.

I can remember as a child how bitterly disappointed I was with my adopted father. There were times we did not see eye-to-eye, and when that happened, I felt rejected by him. Later, after I became a Believer in Christ, I began to realize that my relationship with Father God was based off of my past experiences with my dad, and I had to repent.

When you study the Word of God thoroughly, an overarching theme begins to come to light. The heavenly Father so loves His children…

And as you begin to unpack this idea, the character of this unearthly being starts to take shape. If you’re like me you come to the stark discovery that He is not like man. He is impossible of making mistakes.

Here are some examples of His character…

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Nothing can separate us from His love.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:37-39

 He made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could live.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16

Even when we’ve failed Him, He never held it against us.  

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8

He has great mercy.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”—Ephesians 2:4-5

He rejoices over us and brings us peace.

“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”—Zephaniah 3:17

His entire being is love.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”—1 John 4:7-8

He takes our burden upon Himself.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”—1 Peter 5: 6-7

He has unmeasurable compassion and patience.

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”—Psalm 86:15

He thanks good thoughts toward us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11

He desires that we treat others with His love.

  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—John 13:34-35

It is my prayer that each of us begin to grow in the knowledge of our heavenly Father. That we begin to identify with a protector and provider who is incapable of failure. This revelation alone will empower us to walk boldly into our destinies as children of a Father who will always supply. Just applying this one revelation to our lives alone, will allow us to be vulnerable in our own shortcomings—knowing that He is fully capable of bringing us to the place He is calling us to, if we will merely trust Him to lead and direct our steps.