A family tragedy recently started me to thinking about the Father’s heart—our unseen Father’s nature and disposition towards His children.  I have found that even in the best of homes, human fathers are just that – human.  …and humans, even with the best of intentions love imperfectly.  Sadly, society has also produced some much-distorted pictures of fathers.

Our pastor taught recently on the prayer which Jesus taught to His disciples (the one we call the Lord’s Prayer)—it starts with “Our Father…”  The pastor made a statement that jarred me out of my Sunday morning moment of slumber, “Every bondage in our life has a root in father wounds.”  Wow!  I am hard pressed to come up with an argument why that just cannot be true.  (I love the fact that his father was in the service—they are both godly men, but also recognize that they are not perfect.)

When we feel rejection, often it is because of rejection we experienced from our fathers.  When our history included abuse, we fear God’s discipline.  Instability in the home, whether emotional, verbal, physical, or financial often leaves us feeling as though we are controlled by puppet strings, always uncertain how the wind is going to blow.  Twisted religious systems have also perverted our understanding of God and the magnitude of His love.

How in the world can we get a true image in our minds of who God is, and more importantly, who he is to us?  I think we need to understand that, just as God is our Father (if we have received Jesus as our Savior); there is also an imposter father—best recognized because he is the father of lies.

I think most of us can skip merrily through life, putting up with most things and not having our faith shaken by heavy traffic or crazy drivers; but for many people there is much more to life—particularly through hurricanes and terrorist attacks, illness and miscarriage, injury and death—that proves challenging.  It is in those difficult times that we need comfort, we need assurance; we need the tender arms of a Father who loves us and is looking out for His children.

Coincidently, it is in our most vulnerable times that the father of lies likes to step up with words of doubt and fear.  He likes to bring condemnation, though our Father God says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  Guilt is part of the evil one’s agenda, though our guilt has been removed through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:22).  He pedals fear, though God has not given us a spirit of fear—instead, he gives us His Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  Satan breathes disappointment; however, God teaches hope which does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).  Demonic forces promote insecurity; however God’s Word promises we can be confident that He (our Father, God), who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).  Instead of intimidation, our Father invites His children to come boldly before His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

Our Father is good and He does good (Psalm 119:68).  Our Father is the Father of mercies and all comfort; He comforts us in our affliction so that we can comfort others who are afflicted (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).  When difficulties arise and our enemy intends harm, God’s intention is good—and He is greater! (Genesis 50:20, 1 John 4:4).  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good!” (Romans 8:28).  Best of all, nothing can separate us from God’s amazing love! (Romans 8:39)  We also have the assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so, as children are dependent on their earthly fathers for provision, we can be confident that God will take care us (Matthew 6:31-34).

Our God, our Father is like no other—He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).  Today is a good day to trust Him and rest in His love for you!