The Perfect Father
This post by Chris Anderson is from Gospel Meditations for Fathers (Day 2).
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13)
Do you marvel that Jesus told us to address the eternal and almighty God with the tenderest of terms: “Our Father in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9)? You should. Even the apostle John marvels at the Christian’s privileged position: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Through the sacrifice of His eternal Son, God has turned rebels into His own children.
The Scriptures celebrate the theme of God’s Fatherhood again and again. As His sons, it inspires our worship. As fathers who aren’t in heaven, it inspires our imitation.
Our Father loves us in spite of us.
Psalm 103:13–14 revel in God’s father-like love for us. It isn’t a deserved love, but a “compassion” (v. 13). Though we are but “dust” (v. 14)—sinners who deserve to be crushed under His feet—He loves us.
As blasphemous as it may sound, God looks at the Christian—hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3)—and says what He said of Jesus: “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).
Our Father gives us only good gifts.
Matthew 6:32 says that our heavenly Father knows our needs. Matthew 7:7–11 teach that He meets those needs with good gifts. Even human fathers give their children bread, not stones. How much more will our perfect Father give us “every good and every perfect gift” (James 1:17). And if He doesn’t give it, we know it wasn’t good.
Our Father disciplines us to build our character.
Hebrews 12:7–11 (explaining Proverbs 3:11–12) informs us that God disciplines us when we sin. He does so not to vent His frustration, but to help us grow in righteousness.
Our Father forgives us, even when we stray from Him.
The Father’s love is especially evident in His forgiveness of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32. The best of us, on our best days, are but prodigals who rebel against Him. Yet, He waits for us, then welcomes us when we repent. Indeed, He runs to us—something that was borderline scandalous for a respected man in Jesus’ culture!
The Father forgives and restores us—again, in spite of us. All of these displays of the Father’s care and grace are challenges to us as we lead our own children.
A few years ago, I was privileged to write a hymn with my daughter Rebekah. I wrote the text and she supplied a beautiful and fitting tune. It’s titled “The Father Looks on Me,” and it reflects on God’s amazing love for His children.
The Father looks on me and sees not what I was or am;
He views the righteousness of Christ, and not my curséd sin.
The Father looks and pities me; He knows that I am dust.
He treats me not as I deserve, but as though I were just.
The Father looks on me and gives a loaf and not a stone.
He showers me with perfect gifts, for all my needs are known.
The Father looks on me with love—a child He’s welcomed home.
He found an orphan, poor and soiled, yet claimed me as His own.
The Father looks for me with hope, for me, His wayward son.
I stand afar, detained by shame; He cries for joy and runs!
The Father looks on me and smiles, for it is Christ He sees;
“This is my own belovéd son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Let the gospel of God’s love inform and inspire your love for your children.
Explore the whole book!
Fatherhood is thrilling…and sobering. Written by dads (and pastors), for dads, these 31 miniature Bible studies will encourage and challenge fathers in their character and parenting. With topics that range from generosity to gentleness, prayer, faithfulness, and repentance, these gospel-centered readings are sure to bless dads of all ages…and at all stages.
