The Father’s Heart
A relationship with a father is a very special thing. Fathers don’t realize the effect that they have on their children. Children that grow up with fathers seem to struggle less with some of the most difficult challenges that life presents them with. This is especially true through the process of growing up. Identity is one of the things that a father seems to really influence their children on. Not only on the positive side but also on the negative.
When Jesus came to earth, He made a special effort to reveal the Father to us. We get to see the part of God that is a father. A heavenly Father that loves us so much. When He taught His disciples to pray, He said that they should pray like this:
Luke 11:2 (NKJV)
2So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…….
The most amazing thing is that no matter what your past was like, or how you grew up, when you give your life to Jesus, the Bible tells us that we are adopted, and now we are part of His family.
Romans 8:15–16 (NKJV)
15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
This means that we are now children of God, and as children, we can see how God affirms Jesus His Son, and know that He does this for us as well.
Luke 3: 22 (NKJV)
22And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
God is a Father that loves us, as His children, like no other father possibly could.
We need to be secure in who God says we are.
The Story of the prodigal son shows us a glimpse of the heart of God towards His children, even when we stray away and make mistakes. If we turn back to Him and admit we messed up, He is good and faithful and will forgive and receive us.
There is no Father like God.
