Between You And God #9

Dear God, What do you mean when you call yourself our Father?

Because we can’t actually see God with our eyes, he takes time in the Bible to explain himself a little bit by using words and relationships we do understand. That’s why he sometimes calls himself our Father. The problem is, while God is perfect, people aren’t. There are times when fathers make bad choices or mistakes, and then we think God is like that too. But he’s not. So it’s helpful to understand what a good father does, because that helps us understand our Father God.

• A good father works hard and makes sure you have food, clothing, and a place to live, because he wants you to feel cared for.
• A good father will go out and get supplies for a school project you forgot about because he understands you make mistakes too.
• A good father gives you some of the things you want besides all of the things you need because he knows fun is a part of life too.
• A good father gives you encouragement, love, and attention, because he knows that your needs aren’t only physical.
• A good father disciplines you because he knows you need it, even though it’s hard to do.

A good father will never bully you, or humiliate you, or make fun of you, or talk about you behind your back, or hurt you. A good father puts his children’s needs ahead of his own desires. Why did your Father God allow Jesus to go to the cross? Because he was willing to undergo pain in order to give you all of what you need and some of what you want. That’s a good father.

You know, you can also call God “Dad.” Try it. It’s kind of cool.

How about You?

No matter what your relationship is like with your earthly father, your heavenly Father is willing and able to give you everything you need. Tell him what you need, and ask him to help you see how he provides it.

God Says . . .

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Matthew 6:32