09-29-2026, 04:00 PM
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/fu...qus_thread
When You Need a Faithful Father
April 22, 2025
by Lynn Cowell
What comes to your mind when I say the word “father”?
At one time, I would have responded with two words: “provider” and “distant.” That’s how I’d describe my dad. He was a consistent father, working hard to provide for me and my seven siblings. But working so much left him unable to be an attentive dad like I needed and maybe he wanted. As I grew up, this concept of fatherhood transferred to how I pictured my heavenly Father. While I chose to trust Jesus as my Savior, I didn’t know God as the loving, flawless Father He is. Thankfully, scriptures like today's key verse helped me understand Him:
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7).
The deepest love began filling the emptiness of my heart. I could see God had all the time in the world, and He had time for me. He wasn’t bothered by me, and I didn’t have to be at my best when I came to Him! Jesus tells us that when we see Him, we also see the Father (John 14:9). In Mark 10, Jesus surrounded Himself with little children, tenderly modeling His Father’s kind, nurturing, vulnerable and present love. Sometimes children can be messy or germy with runny noses but if these children were, Jesus wasn’t bothered. “And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:16, NIV).
Psalm 139:5 similarly says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (NLT).
This is the tender, compassionate and attentive love I wanted to know more deeply. Seeking out scriptures that showed this fatherly heart of God created a desire to be near Him. As I drew close, God’s fatherly love began healing my heart wounds. UUnderstanding the whole heart of God began filling the hole in my heart. When I saw Him not as a magnifying glass constantly looking for my wrongs but as Love Himself, it set my heart free. I saw my Abba Father (Mark 14:36) as trustworthy for my today and my future. As you learn more about Father God and draw near to Him, you’ll find He is more kind and loving than you ever imagined. Soaking in His Scriptures can correct any misconceptions you and I may have of what a father is. Does this mean He gives us everything we want?
Not exactly. A good Father only gives what He knows is best for His child (James 1:17). He does give us unconditional love both when we get things right and even when we sin. This is the fatherly heart of God, whose love is flowing continually toward you and me, perfect and unrestricted.
When You Need a Faithful Father
April 22, 2025
by Lynn Cowell
Quote:“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7 (NLT)
What comes to your mind when I say the word “father”?
At one time, I would have responded with two words: “provider” and “distant.” That’s how I’d describe my dad. He was a consistent father, working hard to provide for me and my seven siblings. But working so much left him unable to be an attentive dad like I needed and maybe he wanted. As I grew up, this concept of fatherhood transferred to how I pictured my heavenly Father. While I chose to trust Jesus as my Savior, I didn’t know God as the loving, flawless Father He is. Thankfully, scriptures like today's key verse helped me understand Him:
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7).
The deepest love began filling the emptiness of my heart. I could see God had all the time in the world, and He had time for me. He wasn’t bothered by me, and I didn’t have to be at my best when I came to Him! Jesus tells us that when we see Him, we also see the Father (John 14:9). In Mark 10, Jesus surrounded Himself with little children, tenderly modeling His Father’s kind, nurturing, vulnerable and present love. Sometimes children can be messy or germy with runny noses but if these children were, Jesus wasn’t bothered. “And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:16, NIV).
Psalm 139:5 similarly says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (NLT).
This is the tender, compassionate and attentive love I wanted to know more deeply. Seeking out scriptures that showed this fatherly heart of God created a desire to be near Him. As I drew close, God’s fatherly love began healing my heart wounds. UUnderstanding the whole heart of God began filling the hole in my heart. When I saw Him not as a magnifying glass constantly looking for my wrongs but as Love Himself, it set my heart free. I saw my Abba Father (Mark 14:36) as trustworthy for my today and my future. As you learn more about Father God and draw near to Him, you’ll find He is more kind and loving than you ever imagined. Soaking in His Scriptures can correct any misconceptions you and I may have of what a father is. Does this mean He gives us everything we want?
Not exactly. A good Father only gives what He knows is best for His child (James 1:17). He does give us unconditional love both when we get things right and even when we sin. This is the fatherly heart of God, whose love is flowing continually toward you and me, perfect and unrestricted.