"A Father's Love"

“A Father’s Love”

June 17, 2012

Isaiah 63:16:

“But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.”

When you hear the word ‘father’ what feelings does it stir in you? Love? Pride? Fear” Anger? Disappointment? Father’s Day is a day that we set aside to honor our fathers – and we want to do that today. The Godly father is a rare and special man – and we do want to honor him. But the fact of the matter is that not all of us have had an honorable father. Some of you have or had a father who deserted you; some of you have a father who abused you; some of you have a father who neglected you. Some of you didn’t have a father – you had a sperm donor. Father’s day does not elicit any fond emotion for you – maybe just anger. Fact of the matter is that none of us had the perfect father – not even MY kids. All fathers do dumb things, make mistakes, don’t meet your needs as you would like. But in spite of that – the Bible tells us we are to honor our fathers. One of the ten most important commands in the Bible tells us that – and there is a blessing of long life if we do.

Consequently, it is good and appropriate that we honor our fathers. We thank God for them – in spite of their flaws and failings. It does something to our heart; our spirit; our soul; when we do that. It speaks of forgiveness and compassion and self-disciple when we do that. Those are godly attributes. And God wants us to exercise our wills to honor our Fathers. I hope you can do that this morning. But this morning I want to tell you about a Father’s love. A Father that loves you so much it is beyond comprehension.

In our Scripture, a man; a prophet who knew God intimately, refers to Him as Father. Isaiah says, “You are our Father... You, Lord are our Father.” Jesus taught us to pray to “Our Heavenly Father” or “Our Father in heaven”. So, understand that you may have had an earthly Father – but you also have a heavenly one as well. And this Father is perfect in every way. Let me share some ways that our Heavenly Father loves you.

First of all, He has fantastic plans for you. One of my favorite verses in the Bible says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

A good father always has wonderful plans for his children. Some plan on their sons or daughters following the family business. How many businesses add that little line “and son”. Some want their children to attend the same school or college they attended. Nearly all fathers dream of a better future for their children. And that instinct comes from our Heavenly Father. Have you ever stopped to realize that God, not only knows everything about you and everything about your future – but that He has special plans for you. The Bible reveals that you have been given special gifts and talents for a divine purpose. David said,

“...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16

God knows all about you – and loves you anyway! Not only that, but He has plans for you in this life and in the life to come. The Bible says that we will rule and reign with Christ one day. We will be God’s princes and princesses. I don’t know all that God plans for you – but what I do know is that it will be fantastic! Your Heavenly Father is making wonderful plans for you. God, the Son, said,

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3

Your Father has a plan and that plan includes a place for you!

Here’s another thing you need to know about your Heavenly Father’s love. Secondly, He will never leave you. He will never desert you. He will never forsake you. He will never abandon you. God says,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”