"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." Matt. 6:9
One time my son Zechariah asked me why I always ask most kids in our church to greet their mums when they get back home but I never sent greetings to their dads. When we got home I explained to him that they did not have fathers, they were from single parents because of the immorality around our church compound. We neighbor a slum that harbors crime, prostitution, illicit drinks and drugs. Out of this cesspool are born beautiful children that we love and extend a modicum of fatherly care.
The disciples had heard Jesus call God his Father and now there was going to be a paradigm shift. They were to call on God as their Father. The same thing applies to all those who are washed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Are you born again? How is your earthly father? Let me assure you that you have an excellent Father in heaven who;
1. LOVES UNCONDITIONALLY-( 1 John.4:16)
Love here on earth is pegged on so many things, money, educational achievements, connections in society, looks and abilities and many other trivialities. You guessed right, you have a Father in Heaven who loves you without all of the above. He loves you the way you are. Listen to this, " Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter. 5: 7
2.LISTENS UNTIRINGLY-(Psalm.55:16-17)
Does your earthly father give you an ear? With our large families and accompanying poverty your father has no time and resources to solve your needs.With the fast life and putting many working hour in order to place food on the table who shall listen to you other than your Father in heaven? Again listen to this, " Evening, and morning, and at noon,will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Psalm.55:17 Do not just call Him ones a day but as many times because your prayers are a sweet incense in His presence.
3.SLEEPETH NOT-( Psalm. 121:3-5)
"Come back next time, the boss is not able to attend to you he is unwell".You are now familiar with this when in need. Your dad might be limited in giving you support or he might be down with malaria. When you are weak, asleep in Mogadishu or in a slum somewhere your heavenly Father is alert and focused on your security and infirmity. " Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. the LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Psalm 121:4-8
4. CHASTENETH LOVINGLY-( Hebrew.12:6-8)
I am now tired of the many cases of parents who have hacked their children to death because of very small misunderstandings. God will chasten you not out of any other motivation but love. The chastening is proof of His relationship with you and His work of sanctification your life. He is holy and and wants us holy. " For whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Hebrew. 12:6
I sense the fatherhood of God in His chastening, be worried when you sin and nothing happens, " But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Hebrews.12:8
CONCLUSION.
The conduct of your earthly father can obscure your view of a loving and caring heavenly Father. Believe what the Bible say about His Fatherhood. Do you call Him "My Father?" You can only do so if you are saved/born-again. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John. 1:12
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John.3:7
