Being that Father’s Day is this upcoming Sunday, we wanted to write a reflection on what it means for God to be our Father.
When you think of a father, what comes to mind? Someone who protects you or someone who was hardly in your life? Unfortunately, because of the fallen state we live in, even the best of fathers fall short. But there is one Father who will never fall short or stop loving us; God the Father. God was called Father by His son Jesus Christ.
Mark 14:36, ““Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
In Aramaic, the term ‘abba’ means “Father”. It’s an affectionate term but there’s also an underlying tone of reverence. To know God as our Father gives us the opportunity to have a close and intimate relationship with Him. Many people have the idea that God is someone who is above the earth and doesn’t care about humanity whatsoever, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible talks about God’s involvement countless times, especially as our Father and Creator. Isaiah 64:8 says,
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.”
How beautiful to know that God is the one who has formed us and continues to form us. In both the New and Old Testament, God was known as the Father.
Isaiah 63:16 “For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.”
What does it mean for God to be our Father?
- As our Father, God is the one who forms and creates us in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)
- As our Father, God provides for all of our needs. (Matt. 6:31-32)
- As our Father and through Jesus Christ, God has adopted us into His kingdom and has made us His children. (Rom. 8:15)
- As our Father, we can now experience unconditional love. (1 John 4:7-11)
- As our Father, God promises us to be with Him for eternity. (John 6:40)
Whether you have a strong relationship with your earthly father or not, you can be confident that in God you have a Father who created you, knows you completely and loves you unconditionally.