Faith of Our Fathers

And he said to man,

‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.

Job 28:28 NIV

 

I wish I could say that all fathers are wise, but life has taught all of us that this simply isn’t true. Some fathers are mean and abusive; others abandon their children, while others may live under the power of addiction. Other fathers are present and provide well for their family yet they are absent from the details of their children’s lives. On the other hand, there are many good fathers who love unconditionally; they are moral and upright men who possess knowledge and understanding. These fathers participate in the lives of their children and are able to guide them effectively and give them a foundation for life. In the first two of the pre-mentioned examples of fatherhood, both fathers lacked the same important attribute. They lacked wisdom.

 

In the Bible God informed man that he should fear him because the fear of him is wisdom and that wisdom is the springboard for understanding that each individual must reject sin. The fear of God is not the idea that God carries a big stick and hides behind a door awaiting our arrival so he can jump out and whack us on the head for being imperfect! No, the fear of the LORD is viewing God in reverence and giving him the honor and respect due his holy name. When a father fears the Lord he silently announce to his children that God is worthy of notice. He is also a father who teaches his children in word and deed that he respects and adores God. A man who chooses to shun evil, and submit to the Lord’s commands understands and demonstrates by is behavior that he is a godly man of wisdom.

 

If your father was or is a man who feared God, be thankful because your father has provided for you an accurate model of wisdom. Even in death these men continue to speak to us and teach us of a faith that is well worth having.

 

If you were not blessed with a father of faith you must realize that it is you who must now light and carry the torch of reverence and respect for God. As a first generation Christian, you must step up to the plate, be the example for your children, who will most likely out live you. Teach by example that the fear of the LORD is wisdom. Teach them to walk away from evil. Model your faithfulness to the one you adore.

 

Little eyes are watching, bigger eyes are learning, and wide open eyes see the respect and faithfulness you demonstrate. Faith of our Fathers! What a blessing! There is no better gift to have received from a father or to give to your children. This applies to moms as well. Our children learn what we live. They hear our comments, they see us roll our eyes, and they know our priorities and understand what we value.

 

Grandparents, heads up. You’re not finished yet. Use every opportunity to help your grandchildren find and follow Jesus. The payback will be when our children and grandchildren become wise themselves. “A wise son brings joy to his father, “Proverbs 10:1a NIV. In this life there is no greater joy than to know that our children and grandchildren walk with the Lord and that they understand that wisdom is respecting their Creator by keeping his commandments.

 

Questions:

1. Do you desire to be a father of faith? A mother of faith? A grandparent of faith? An Aunt or an Uncle of faith?
2. Do you see that the “fear” of the Lord is the key to being a person of wisdom?
3. How can you be more intentional in passing on your faith to those who walk within your sphere of influence?
4. Will you be obedient and choose to rise to the occasion?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

 

You are the greatest of all fathers! In you there is no fault found, no sin, nor is there any partiality among your children. Father you alone are worthy of my love, my reverence, my respect, and my worship. Father, I adore you! I submit to you my life. I realize that I am a person of influence. Father, I pray that my influence will be for you and your glory rather than against you. I desire that those who are watching my behavior will see Christ like attributes that will fill them with desire to not only be like me, but above all else be like you! Father, fill me with a holy “fear” of you. A fear that respects, reveres, worships, and bows in humility. A “fear” that lovingly and willingly chooses to submit to your commands. Father, like Solomon, I ask for wisdom. Give me your heavenly wisdom, the type of wisdom that makes good parents become great parents.

 

Jesus, it is in your name I pray. Amen.

A Father Who's a Cut Above the Rest

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God – “ John 1:12 NIV

Today is Father’s Day and immediately I am thinking about my own father, who loved God and exhibited a strong faith in God in all circumstances. He may not have been the best father in the world but by no means was he the worst. In fact he was a pretty wonderful Daddy. The bottom line was and still is, he was my father and I loved him in spite of any imperfections.

My husband is also a father to two children, and in my opinion he is a wonderful father. I’m sure, (just like me, as a mother,) he would like some “do-overs” but life does not afford us that luxury. You see, we get handed those bundles of pink and blue at the hospital and we don’t know what to do with them. It is a day by day learning process. When a man becomes a father he is not only expected to provide for his children, he is also responsible for their well being, emotional maturity, spiritual growth and development, health, education, and discipline. Not to mention, the “being there” at every activity. The ideal father is also responsible for providing family fun, having a listening ear, and an understanding and agreeable heart. Being a perfect father is very challenging! No, my children’s father was not the best father, nor was he the worst. He is however, a wonderful father.

You see, fathers are not perfect! Especially in their children’s eyes there seems to be plenty of room for improvement. Yet most of us need to step back and take a hard look at not what our fathers did with us and for us, but rather who they are down deep inside. If you have a father who is or was a man of integrity then you are blessed. If your father loves or loved God and exhibited a strong faith in God then you are double blessed! Try looking deep into his soul and discover what a wonderful man he really is. Discover his amazing character traits that make him a man of great value and worth.

I am sad to say that many fathers are mean and cruel, angry and abusive, lazy and irresponsible, drill sergeants and dictators. Obviously, these men should have never been fathers in the first place. Having a father like that makes it extremely hard to put your faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. If your image of what “a father” looks like is based on an abusive father then your image of God may be distorted and clouded.

But today I want to think about my Heavenly Father, who is a cut above the rest. None of the mistakes of our earthly fathers are found in him. He is completely loving, a rock of stability, a shelter in a storm, a dependable provider, a trustworthy friend, a promise keeper, a faithful father, a father who neither slumbers or sleeps, a father who hears and listens, a father who protects and guards, and a father who looks after your eternal good. Our Heavenly Father is available twenty-four-seven! He even allows me to call him “Abba Father” which means – “Dear Daddy”.

On this Father’s Day I want to give thanks for my own wonderful, less than perfect father. I want to give thanks to the father of my children who is amazing in every way, yet less than perfect. And I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father who is many cuts above the rest. I guess God allows us to see the imperfection in our earthly fathers so that we can be in utter awe of our perfect Heavenly Father!


Questions:

Are your memories of your father good or bad?

Has this affected how you view God?

Do you see that God is a cut above all others?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ?
If so, you have the right to be called a child of God and call him your Father.

Are you amazed at how truly perfect and wonderful your Heavenly Father is?


Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for allowing me to be called your precious child. Today I am amazed that I have the good fortune of having a truly perfect and wonderful Heavenly Father. God help me this day to ______________ (love, appreciate, forgive) my own father. I pray God that you will call fathers to be men of faith and integrity. Help fathers to reflect the godly qualities and attributes that are found in you. Forgive my negative thoughts about my own father. Help me to look deep inside his heart and see all the good that you have placed there. Father, bless my father this day and keep him safe and in your care. For all fathers who do not know you Lord, I pray that they will seek and find you.

In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen