Father’s Day
Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Malachi 2:10a
There are many titles given to God in the Bible, to which we human beings can relate. He is at various times identified as a Sovereign, a King, a Lord, a Ruler, a Judge, a Creator, or a Husband. However, except for Husband, the title that is relatable to more people than any other is Father. There are relatively few kings, lords, or judges in this world, but every child has a father. That designation in Scripture of God as Father is both an honor and a responsibility for every father in this world!
It is an honor because God chose in His Word to identify His desired relationship with human beings in terms of the family relationship that exists between human fathers and their children. There is an emotional connection that exists between fathers and children which is unlike any other. It combines children’s love and honor for their fathers, and a deep desire by fathers to both protect and provide for their children. It is a relationship that provides stability and security for families and strength within societies.
That honor, however, comes with tremendous responsibility. How children relate to and think of their fathers is a precursor to how they will think of and relate to their God. If children have a loving, stable, and strong relationship with their earthly fathers, they will be able to relate to and rely upon their heavenly Father much more easily. This is suggested by Martin Luther in his explanation to the Address of the Lord’s Prayer. In explaining the meaning of the phrase: “Our Father, who art in heaven,” Luther writes: “With these words God tenderly encourages us to believe that He is our true Father and we are His true children, so that we may ask Him boldly and with complete confidence as dear children ask their dear father.”
Fathers, as we celebrate Father’s Day, let us recognize both the honor and the responsibility that comes with that beloved title.
Dear heavenly Father, help all earthly fathers to recognize their responsibility to be good fathers, so that their children will relate to You with love, honor, and devotion. Amen.