In a world threatened by war, famine, disease and anger, let us take this opportunity to uplift and strengthen our resolve.
Here in the USA and in other countries around the world, we just had Father’s Day—a day when people take time to show respect and to honor the men in their lives who have either been a father or a father figure to them. A father is someone who leads his family in a loving and caring manner. This can include at times having to train his children (Proverbs 22:6), giving good gifts (Matthew 7:11), encouraging them and lifting them up instead of tearing them down (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This of course is not just a father’s responsibility as it takes a woman of noble character to help raise a family (Proverbs 31:28).
This type of family relationship, while very physical and real, is also played out spiritually by God our Father. We are His children. Galatians 3:26 says: “For you are all sons [or children] of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” This passage and many other Scriptures show that God considers us to be His children. As a father loves his children, so God has the same feelings towards us. He cares for us at all times. Just as a father must correct his children, so at times God lets us go through trials to learn and to become more reliant on Him for our physical and spiritual sustenance (James 1:17). Even when we have to go through trials, God isn’t far away. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation [or affliction], that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble [or affliction], with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
In Matthew 18:2-3 Christ points out that it is our duty to become as little children, in action and thought: “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
As our Father is the God of the entire universe, there is nothing that passes by His attention. The Bible says He numbers and names the stars, counts the sand on earth and numbers the hairs on our head. He sustains the universe by His very Word and Will. And to top it off, He wants to share all of this with us. As we consider the wonders of God, it is important to remember these things and to dwell on them, so that we stay motivated and focused. With God as our Father and Him wanting us to become like Him, we have every opportunity to obtain our crown.
