Faithful Fathers… “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 they 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 ability 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 role models for them to emulate. Ask God for wisdom and grace to be a faithful father. 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
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
