A Model Father
Disclaimer: “ 7. Our fathers have sinned, and are not;
And we have borne their iniquities.
8. Servants have ruled over us:
There is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
9. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives
Because of the sword of the wilderness.
10. Our skin was black like an oven
Because of the terrible famine.
11. They ravished the women in Zion,
And the maids in the cities of Judah.”
- Lamentations 5:7-11 KJV
Abba Father
A prayer most of us are familiar with and located in Matthew 6 is taught by Yeshua to His disciples as He teaches them how to pray. Verse 9 guides the disciples into the affectionate addressing of Yahweh as it relates to them.
A title by its own right that connotes more than a mere familial relation but an intimate knowing, belonging, and a permanent connection.
This is how Jesus teaches us we should refer to the all-powerful, all-knowing, the great I am that I am, the sovereign being of the heavens and the earth, the one who spoke and it all became.
What a privilege that our God has asked that we not only call Him our father but that we know in doing so that He calls us His Children.
His chosen beloved.
Jehovah-Raah
Psalm 23, another passage of scripture we are more than likely familiar with as well, explains that our heavenly father is also our most capable shepherd. The Hebrew word ra’ah, denotes one who protects, leads, provides, and cares for his sheep.
Don’t let this opportunity for imagination pass you by; seize it and reflect on this impactful imagery. Our father, rod, and staff in hand, watching us as we graze in a luscious green pasture he has picked out just for us, a perfectly navigated parcel with a clear stream of cool refreshing water nearby. Whether we understand it or not, we, his sheep, wholly depend on the shepherd. And in His thoughtful wisdom, he aptly delivers the care we need.
Our Father is also our shepherd.
Anticipating our needs and planning beforehand in preparation for the means to supply the provision.
Jehovah Tsidkenu
Psalm 23:3 continues to tell us that our Father leads us in righteousness, not just for our good but for His name’s sake. We are His children; we are a reflection of Him, which is why following His commands and laws is also so very important.
We would be wise to be mindful that we don’t follow the theology of the devil, who tells us not to follow our laws or the commandments that were never given to the heathen, to begin with.
I will remind you, he is OUR father. Just saying. Jeremiah 23:6;
“6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Our father leads by example. He shows us the way we should go and establishes clearly how we should live; He leads us in righteousness.
Our Father is not the author of confusion, 1 Corinthians 14:33. He established how we are to live and set standards in line with His holiness of how we should behave.
Not just a staff but a rod, our good shepherd carries, our father also disciplines us in love, Hebrews 12:5-6 and in that same vein asks earthly fathers to do the same with their rod in love towards their children, Proverbs 13:24.
Jehovah- Nissi
Our heavenly father is our banner, Romans 8:31. He is our strength, He is our head, our refuge, and his defense of His children he wants the generations to remember, Exodus 17: 14-16.
Beloved, our Father’s banner reigns over us, and He has a great plan to provide a defense and redemption for His people;
“11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS,” Revelation 19:11-16.
Take heart always, brothers and sisters, for this is also our hope. Our Father has planned our rescue and recompense.
Our Father instills hope and encouragement in His great plan for His children, His sovereign plan of eternal redemption. This world will pass, 1 John 2:17.
What is an Infidel?
The Bible describes the infidel as a faithless unbeliever, even unto a heathen who does not fear God.
Revelation 21:8 details that an infidel shall share the same lake of fire as the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and liars. The Bible lumps all these sinners together to share the same portion of the second death.
There is much disdain for the infidel when mentioned throughout the bible. He is the direct opposite of what God’s children should be or strive to emulate. He glories in vile behavior and wrongful living contrary to the righteousness of God.
Why does this matter, you may ask? How is an infidel at all relevant to the topic?
For one, I hope, the apparent reasons just detailed above, but secondarily because the bible says a man that does not provide for his household is WORSE than this repugnant man, 1 Timothy 5:8.
The Perfect Example
Whether you grew up with an earthly father in your home or not, Deuteronomy 28:54, no excuse anymore is there for not knowing how to be a father, for our heavenly father is the perfect father, and He has detailed His blueprint for fatherhood in the bible.
He is ever present for his children. He leads by example and in righteousness and expects the same for the children who bear his likeness. He establishes in his protection that his children never have to fear if they are cared for, and carefully and thoughtfully devises how to bring those plans to fruition, Jeremiah 29:11. He guides them, and he loves in sacrifice….
No father could, would, or will ever be as perfect a model of what a provider, protector, leader, discipliner, or carer should be for His children than the one who lovingly sacrificed His own son for His glory and the good of His other children, John 3:16. Love you. His Glory.
