Father’s Day has always been a good day for me. It’s a day when I can intentionally remember, appreciate, and celebrate my own father. My dad has always been there for me, always encouraged me, and always provided for me. All my life, I’ve known that I can trust him and rely on him. But I know for many of you, this has not been the case. Father’s Day has always been a difficult day for you. It’s impossible for you to remember, appreciate, and celebrate a man who abused you, who abandoned you, who ignored you, who disappointed you. He wasn’t there for you, and he didn’t protect you as he should have. He was a man who could not be trusted or relied on.
If you’ve dealt with this kind of experience in your life, it may seem strange to you when God is described as a Father in Scripture (Isaiah 63:16, Jeremiah 3:4, 2 Corinthians 6:18). It may even cause you to question God’s character. Will God abandon me? What if God doesn’t come through? Can God really be trusted? It’s understandable that we may have the feelings, thoughts, and questions when our only reference of a “father” is our sinful, earthly ones. What does the Bible mean when it calls God our Father? It means He does six key things.
God Creates
God is a Father who creates. While it may be controversial to say in today’s culture, both a mother and father are required to create new life. A baby needs a father in order to be developed in its mother’s womb. Similarly, for us to live and exist in the world, we require a Creator, a Father. God created each and every one of us (Deuteronomy 32:6, Malachi 2:10), knitting us together in the womb (Psalm 139:13), establishing who we would be before we entered the world (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 1:5). Just as a potter forms clay to serve a certain purpose, our Father God forms us to fulfill the purpose He has set out for us-
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8, ESV
God Loves
God is a Father who loves. If there was one thing people wished they had more of from their fathers, it would probably be love. Most men are not as outwardly emotional as women, so this can make it hard for them to express love to their family. But our Father in heaven is the very definition of love (1 John 4:8). His love for us is so great that He sent His Son to die so that we may become His children and be with Him for eternity (John 3:16, 1 John 3:1). His love for us does not end when we mess up or make a mistake. His love is faithful and steadfast (Deuteronomy 7:9), and He always leads us back to Himself with cords of kindness (Hosea 11:1-4). Instead of blowing up in anger as many earthly fathers do, God shows us compassion-
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
God Disciplines
God is a Father who disciplines. If there was one thing people wished they had less of from their fathers, it would probably be discipline. No child likes to be disciplined by their father, but discipline is good and necessary because it teaches the child how to live rightly (unless, of course, that discipline turns into abuse). As our Father, God also teaches us how to live holy, righteous lives through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and disciplines us when we fall into sin, just like our earthly fathers do (Deuteronomy 8:5, Hebrews 12:7). God doesn’t dole out discipline because He’s mean or critical or has standards that are too high for us to attain. He disciplines us because He loves us and so that we may repent and turn back to Him (Revelation 3:19). Therefore, we ought to submit to His discipline, rather than reject it-
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12
God Protects
God is a Father who protects. Protecting one’s own children is possibly the most important task of a father, and sadly, this task seems to be greatly neglected in this day and age. More and more, we’re seeing fathers letting their sons and daughters do whatever they feel like doing, even if it may harm them later down the road. Our Father, on the other hand, always works to guard us (2 Thessalonians 3:3), protect us (1 John 5:18), and rescue us from danger (2 Timothy 4:18). He is always near to us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He strengthens and upholds us during our battles (Isaiah 41:10). He preserves our lives and delivers us from our enemies (Psalm 32:7, 138:7). He helps us when we’re in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He carries us when we’re weak (Deuteronomy 1:31). He comforts us when we’re afflicted (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). In the Father, we are safe (Proverbs 18:10). God is our refuge-
“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26
God Provides
God is a Father who provides. One of the things about my father that I am most thankful for is the way he has provided for my family. I’ve never had to worry about getting my needs met every day, every week, every year. My father has always worked hard so that he could provide for every need and want my mom and I could ever have. It’s the same with God. He knows what we need (Matthew 6:31-32), and He has promised in His Word that He will provide it (Philippians 4:19). He does not withhold good things from His people (Psalm 34:10, 84:11). He is a gracious and generous Father who delights in giving us what is good (Romans 8:32; James 1:5, 17). He satisfies our needs and desires (Psalm 107:9, 145:15-16). All we need to do is ask-
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13
God Forgives
God is a Father who forgives. Many adults have strained or estranged relationships with their fathers today because of a misunderstanding, disagreement, or falling out that happened years and years ago that has never been forgiven. Forgiveness is essential in all relationships, especially between the parent and the child, because we all make mistakes and bad choices. Thankfully, God forgives abundantly. Our sins estranged us from our Heavenly Father, severing the relationship between Creator and creation (Romans 3:23). But God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven and for our relationship with Him to be restored. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place for our sins and to reconcile us to the Father (Romans 5:8-11). When we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus, the Lord is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). And when this happens, the Father adopts us as His own children (John 1:12, Romans 8:14-15). Like the father who welcomed his prodigal son home, He welcomes us to His family with arms open wide. As author Amy Gannett wrote,
“When God saves us, he does more than simply bring us back under his rule; he welcomes us into the love and fellowship of the eternal Trinity.”[1]
God the Father
This Father’s Day may be a hard day for you. It may bring up some painful memories. Memories of a dad who wasn’t there. Memories of a dad who didn’t care. Memories of a dad who wasn’t fair. I encourage you to remember two things. One: fathers are humans. They are sinful beings just like you and me. My father, wonderful as he is, still messes up and makes mistakes, just like every other father and every other human on the planet. If you’re holding onto bitterness and anger because of your father’s past actions, I urge you to extend forgiveness to him, even if he’s not in your life anymore. After all, think of everything that God has forgiven you.
Two: God is your Father. Even if your relationship with your earthly father is beyond repair, you have a true Father, a Heavenly Father (Matthew 23:9, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6). He is the Father who created you, who loves you, and who disciplines you when you fall out of line. He protects you, provides for you, and forgives you when you mess up. When your earthly father fails, turn to your heavenly One.
“Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds—his name is the Lord—and celebrate before him. God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless…” Psalm 68:4-5a, CSB
[1] Amy Gannett, Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2021), 60.
