The Father Loves You By Pete BriscoeSýnishorn

Day 1
One of These Things is Not Like the Other

It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. —Anne Sexton

People tend to base their view of God on whomever they call “father” in this life. But are earthly fathers a good picture of our heavenly Father? Is God like them?

It depends.

For some of us, “father” evokes feelings of comfort and security. For others, imagining the sound of our father’s footsteps raises an instinct to hide. You might look back at your father and say, “If God’s anything like my old man, I don’t want anything to do with Him.”

So when we talk about “God the Father,” our minds—not our emotions—must dominate. We need to make a clear distinction between our earthly father and our heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit will use the Bible—not our feelings or earthly experiences—to be our guide as we figure out what is meant by “God the Father.”

Consider Moses’ request in the book of Exodus—and apply it as we search through Scripture for the fatherly qualities of God:

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. (Exodus 33:13)

In the passages that follow Moses’ request, God answers by revealing no less than fourteen fatherly traits about Himself—each of which is amplified in many other places throughout the Bible.

These traits serve as a wonderful model for fathers here on earth, but they aren’t intended to be a guilt trip that shames us into better performance. Instead, they should encourage all God’s children with the wonderful news of our perfect parent who cherishes, values, and adores us.

Father, I pray that any misconceptions I have about You will be swept away by the truth of Your Word. I want to know You and want to learn about You in a rational way that is free from misleading emotions. Please help me clear my mind so Your Spirit can lead me to the truth. Amen.