Gathering Four

GOD AND US Knowing Your God

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

Fathers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are athletic and some are overweight. Some dads are Mr. Fix-its and some are all thumbs. There are stepfathers, birth fathers, foster fathers, and godfathers. What was your father like?

One of the struggles with understanding the Fatherhood of God is the mistaken perception that God is like our earthly fathers. If you had a kind yet strong and loving dad, you may have little problem accepting the love of the Lord. Alternatively, if your own father was abusive or unfaithful, you may have difficulty understanding that your heavenly Father loves you and will never forsake you.

The Old Testament Jews did not usually refer to God as their father. To Israel, God was a covenant deity who resided on the throne of heaven more than in the heart. He appeared to care more about law than love. Consequently, it can feel like the God who destroyed the Canaanites is not the same Lord that Jesus describes as a kind and caring Father.

Did God change? Did He improve with time? No! The Lord never changes, but people’s perceptions do. Jesus tried to help us see God’s compassion by portraying Him as a father. Therefore, the New Testament is full of the Fatherhood of God imagery. It retains the strength of His sovereignty, and it balances His might with the warmth of love.

Accepting and feeling the love of the Father is foundational to healthy relationships. This is the one real relationship you need to get right. The Father’s love was demonstrated when He sacrificed His own son on the cross of Calvary so that we might become His children. Once a person places their faith in Jesus, they begin a lifelong pilgrimage of learning to live in His love as a child of God. As a result, they become capable of creating authentic relationships with others.