Our Heavenly Father Will Never Leave You nor Forsake You.
As we celebrate Father’s Day this year, it’s natural for each of us to look back and think about our own fathers, and, if we are fathers ourselves, to reflect on what kind of a dad we’ve been. While Father’s Day is all about celebrating the good times and fond remembrances of the men who raised us, it’s no secret that there are more than a few individuals whose memories are of fathers who were abusive, unengaged, distant, or absent. Likewise, there are many fathers among us who face this special day with a burden of regret over their shortcomings and failures towards their children.
The good news is that, regardless of what kind of earthly father we had, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, each and every one of us can embrace the truth that we have a heavenly Father who loves us without measure, is ever present in our lives, and is absolutely committed to our good in every way. And for fathers who have fallen short, God extends the promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and reconciliation (Malachi 4:6) because of the finished work of His Son, Jesus.
While Scripture is packed from cover to cover with God’s powerful promises to us, His children, here are a handful that we all need to be reminded of from time to time about the love and care our heavenly Father has for each of us:
Our heavenly Father promises to provide for us. Deep within the heart of every father is the desire and drive to make sure his children have the very best he can give them. From working overtime or getting an extra part time job, to sacrificing his own hopes, dreams, desires, and needs, dads are wired to give all they’ve got for the sake of their children. But no earthly father can match the overwhelming care our heavenly Father shows for us, His children. In fact, Jesus promises us that as we focus our love and attention on Him, all that we have need of will be supplied (Matthew 6:31-33). And let’s not forget Paul’s admonition that God will supply all of our need “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Our heavenly Father promises to guide us. Every good earthly father has a desire to help guide his children in life and see them headed in the right direction, and there is no doubt that this is a God-breathed quality. Proverbs 13:1 confirms the wisdom of a child who heeds his father’s instruction. How much more does our heavenly Father provide sound counsel to His children. In Psalm 32:8 God promises that He will instruct and teach us in the way we should go, and will guide us with His eye.
Our heavenly Father promises to protect us. It is a universally accepted truth that fathers are, above all, protectors. There’s certainly no shortage of inspiring true stories about common, ordinary, everyday dads who risked or even sacrificed their lives in order to save a child in danger and distress. That is, of course, an attribute placed deep within them by God, who is the ultimate protector. While there are innumerable scriptures that re-enforce God’s promise to protect us, none is more beloved than David’s Psalm 23 assertion: “Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me...” (TLB). Regardless of the dangers we face in life, our heavenly Father has promised to protect us.
Our heavenly Father promises never to forsake us. The sad truth is that there will always come a time when earthly fathers cannot be there for their children. But that is not the case with our Father in heaven. In Hebrews 13:5 He promises: “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you” (TLB). And in Psalm 48:14 He assures us that He “is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide until we die” (TLB).
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