Father, Dear Father

You should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family —calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:15-16

“God’s very own children, adopted into his family.” What an amazing thought, especially for those of us who are fatherless or have been abandoned or abused by our earthly fathers. We tend to see God through the filter of the dad we’ve known in our growing-up years. If our father was loving, affectionate, and accepting, we picture our heavenly Father the same way. But if our earthly father was harsh, critical, or unloving, it’s doubtful we’ll want to jump into God’s lap or rest in his love. Our view of God may cause us to run from him or to close off our hearts. But God tells us to call him “Father, dear Father,” not to cower or withdraw like fearful slaves but to behave like children who are dearly loved.

Think about your relationship with your earthly father or mother and about how it colored your perspective of God. If you don’t see him as “Father, dear Father,” bring your view of him to the throne of grace, and ask the Holy Spirit to clear your vision of him so that you can experience his true daddy-love for you.

FATHER, here’s how I’ve seen you: [describe how you see God]. I bring to your altar that view and everything I think about you that is incorrect or contrary to your Word. Cleanse me of faulty perspectives, and renew my vision of you as my patient, merciful Father who loves me tenderly and who will never leave me or forsake me.

The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy which can ever engage the attention of a child of God is the name, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON (1834–1892)

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The One Year Bible Readings for today are 2 Chronicles 8:11–10:19; Romans 8:9-25; Psalm 18:16-36; and Proverbs 19:26.