Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 14, 2012
“The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.” Isaiah 38:19
Where are the faithful fathers? Where can they be found? They can be found in church, on the little league ball fields, building sandcastles at the beach, and on their knees in prayer for their child’s future spouse. They camp in the woods, buy ice cream, go shopping; teach the Bible to middle school youth and coach high school athletes. They can be found in stable societies and in cultures that love Christ. Faithful fathers matter.
Faithful fathers are not a fantasy, but a reality rooted in the fear of the Lord and who care for their children. They are compelled by their heavenly Father to provide a home that nurtures, disciplines, accepts, and loves. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). They research and discover creative ways to win over their child’s heart for Christ.
Faithful fathers are friends with Jesus. They see Him as a model of unselfish service, generous giving, radical responsibility, and the selflessness to put the needs of others before His own needs. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). Dedicated dads find strength to carry on from Christ’s affirmation and accolades. They father for the audience of their heavenly Father.
Lastly, faithful fathers lead their children to know, love, and obey their heavenly Father. This is your most vital role as a dad. Children learn from your life how to live, but they need to hear from your lips how to believe. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Tell them the scriptural stories of salvation, sin, forgiveness, and faith. Joseph’s perseverance, Esther’s courage, Moses’ leadership, David’s repentance, and Ruth’s encouragement are examples lived by role models for them to emulate. Ask God for the wisdom and grace to be a faithful father.
“After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters” (Genesis 5:22).
How does my heavenly Father love me? How does He want me to love my children?
Related Readings: Psalm 44:1-2; Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:15
Post/Tweet this today: Father like your heavenly Father fathers you. #father
Taken from Reading #8 in the 30-day devotional book, “Wisdom for Fathers”… http://bit.ly/InvUdR
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