God is described with many titles and roles throughout Scripture: as a parent, a father, creator, Lord, even a nursing mother. As Father’s Day is celebrated this June let us think about how our view of God as Father matters in all our relationships. Whether it is our spouse, children, other family members, friends or even co-workers, let us consider this question, “why does my view of God, especially the view that God is Father, matter in these relationships?”
God of compassion
God describes his character as “compassionate” in Exodus 34:6-7. The Hebrew word used first to describe compassion is rakhum, which we translate as “compassionate.” The noun, verb, and adjective form of this word are all related to the Hebrew word for womb, rekhem. This image, in context, draws out the nurturing nature of God. Psalm 103:13 also encourages those who fear God and says, “as a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” God describes himself as compassionate, nurturing, caring, and a gracious God, something we see manifested in and through Jesus, “when he saw the crowds he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9:36. See also Matt 14:14, 15:32, Mark 9:22, Luke 7:13).
How do you view him?
If you are a father, if you are married with no children, or single, what we think about God will be the driving influence in the choices we make everyday. When you think of God, what is the first idea that comes to mind? What has been extremely helpful for me over the last few weeks is the Scripture that tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love is not just something God does, even if we think he does it all the time. God IS love. Love is something he is ALL the time. It is his default position or stance if you will. Why does this matter? How we respond to the people we are in relationship with will either come out of a place of reflection on God and his character and nature or based on past human relationships that haven’t reflected our heavenly father well.
Conclusion
To the father’s out there, be encouraged to submit to our heavenly Father and focus on how he loves his children and treats others. Ephesians 5:1 says, “be imitators of God, as beloved children.” If we think that our Father is mainly angry or just waiting to come down on us when we mess up, then we will have a hard time coming to him. May the words of Micah the prophet encourage you to reflect on our perfect heavenly Father:
“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sin into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19