Delighting in God our Father (Father’s Day)

Introduction:

Illustration ( Daughter’s potty accident in cart on me and her)

You know dads, one of the hardest things for us dads to do is potty train our kids, I mean my wife was great at it but me not so much.

I remember a time when Linden was 3 years old and Hadley was just about two years old and We needed to Run into Kmart really quick to get something and so Amy and I grabbed our kids to head into the store.

and as soon as I picked up my daughter out of that car seat she said Daddy I need to go Potty..

And I said what every dad would say when he is in a hurry, not right now honey, we will be home soon.

Amy looked over at me and said Jason We are right in the middle of potty training her, When she says she needs go We need to let her try.

In my stubbornness, I said not this time we need to just run in and right back out so we can keep moving.

Well my daughter was a little more persistent in the store “ Daddy I need to go potty,

and I responded not right now we will be home soon.

We made it to the bake of the store, Hadley sitting in the seat of the cart me standing right over her pushing it down the isle, and she looks up at me and says again with a little more urgency ion her voice“ Daddy I need to go potty,

and I responded “not right now we will be home soon. “ I pushed the cart a couple steps farther and all of the sudden I felt this very warm sensation running down my legs,

She couldn’t hold it any longer- and she let it go.

And Im telling you she let it go!

I mean it was so bad that Amy made me stand over and guard the puddle so that no one would step in it while she went to find an employee who could bring a mop and clean up the mess on the floor. and when the worker saw it, He called for backup to help mop up the floor

But thats not even the worst of it… We were both so wet that we had to buy new outfits, put them on in the changing room and cary our wet clothes in a Kmart bag out of the store.

Amy made me stand over and guard the puddle so that no one would step in it while she went to find an employee who could bring a mop and clean up the mess on the floor.

Being a dad is a humbling job, that's for sure. But moments like that make me appreciate how patient and loving our Heavenly Father is toward us, His children...

On this Father's Day, we have the opportunity to reflect on God as our perfect Heavenly Father.

While earthly fathers like me are imperfect, God models for us the ideal characteristics of a compassionate, loving, caring Father.

this Morning we will be in Psalm 103.

THE OPENING

Psalm 103:1–2 (ESV)

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

David is Delighting in God and He begins by Singing out the praises of his heavenly Father

“ Bless the Lord!!!” and after Proclaiming these praises,

He proclaims at the end of verse 2 “May i never forget the good things God does for Me as My Heavenly Father”

And for the next 16 verses David is going to delight in five qualities of God the Father that bring this goodness into his life..

And as we look at His fatherly traits,Dads I believe it will inspire us to be the dad’s that our kids need us to be.

Trans:The first thing that David delights in is God’s Fatherly Adoption

Delight in God’s Fatherly Adoption (v. 3-7)

We are not born children of God We were all born into sin- we are by nature children of wrath

Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

One of the most amazing things about our holy God is that even dispite our rebellion against him, he chose to adopt us as his own sons and daughters.

In Psalm 103 verses 3-7 David reflects won the change we have in our lives because God chose to adopt us as sinners.

Listen to our text Psalm 103:3-6

Psalm 103:3–6 (ESV)

3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

I love this picture of How much God loved us while we were still in our sin

"Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

God has adopted us, His rebellious enemies, into His forever family through Christ! These verses give

3 reasons to delight in our spiritual adoption:

Think about it….

First,

1. We go from Guilty to Forgiven

verses 3-4 says that God has forgiven all our sins and redeemed us from the pit of spiritual death

Just as an earthly father adopts an orphan, God has rescued us from our former state of bondage and given us new life and right standing in His household through Christ's sacrifice (Galatians 4:4-5

Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

as Our Father God forgave our sins, and rescued us from the Pit of Hell.

Secondly, God’s Adoption

2.We go from the recipients of God’s Justice & Wrath to God’s love & mercy (v.4).

Psalm 103:4 (ESV)

4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

As adopted heirs, we're embraced by His affection and tender mercies securely reserved for His beloved family 1 John 3:1 speaks about this love we are given

1 John 3:1 (ESV)

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

Before God adopted us into his family we were under the wrath of God, We were God’s Enemy, But at the moment We became Part of God’s Family through Faith in Jesus We were fully brought under the protection of a loving and merciful father.

Thirdly, verse 5 proclaims that when our needs seemed uncertain before adoption, now as His sons and daughters,

3. We go from a life of want to a life of satisfaction(v.5).

Psalm 103:5 (ESV)

5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

We have said it often in this church “the things of this world always leave you unfulfilled, they cannot satisfy our hearts desires, they cannot fulfill our dreams and they cannot and will not ever bring the peace and contentment that our hearts are longing for.

Like a caring dad providing for his kids, God ensures we're never in want but lavished with "every spiritual blessing".

Why, so that we are renewed like the eagle.

ISAIAH TALKS ABOUT THE RENEWAL THAT COMES FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S CARE IN OUR LIVES

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

The point is simple when God adopts you into his family- the cares of this world are no longer yours to carry-

Peter wrote about this truth is his first letter to the churches He said’

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

God as your adoptive father, now is there to carry your burdens for you and this means you are free to soar like the eagles.

Trans: David goes on in verses 8-9 to really focus on God’s Mercy and Compassion that we have as His children

Delight in God’s Fatherly Compassion (v.8-9, 13)

Psalm 103:8–9 (ESV)

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

and then in verse 13 He reiterates His delight in God’s Compassion

Psalm 103:13 (ESV)

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Church We have a compassionate Heavenly Father who loves us because that is who he is by nature.

Just as a loving father is deeply compassionate toward his children, so God looks upon us with tender understanding and care.

I really love verse 9 that says “ he will not constantly accuse us nor will he stay angry with us.”

The psalmist’s point is this- God’s children know He loves them.

Dad’s think about what this looks like in your relationship with your kids.

Would your kids describe you as a loving father or an angry dad!

Do they see and know that you love them by the way that you treat them in the home?

in Ephesians 6:4 Paul charges fathers with this truth

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Our Heavenly Father's compassion should inspire us dads to exhibit patience, gentleness and love like God does, rather than harsh unloving discipline.

David goes in in verses 10 -12 and says that we can …

Delight in God’s Fatherly Forgiveness (v.10-12)

Psalm 103:10–12 (ESV)

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

"He does not treat us as our sins deserve....

Our sins deserve eternal seperation from God the father forever in the pit of hell!!!

Our sins deserve to be the recipient of Gods wrath and not his compassion and forgiveness.

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us."

Even the best fathers struggle with fully forgiving at times.

We can delight in God Because His forgiveness is complete and comprehensive for those who trust in Christ.

Through the cross, our guilt is forever taken away as His children

(1 John 1:9 proclaims this truth

1 John 1:9 (ESV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Think about it- When God forgives your sins- He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

nothing can be farther that this- East and west will never meet-

The point is that when God forgives your sins your sins will be remembered no more. Your account is clean- and that sin can never be held against you again!

Dads’ How is your forgiveness with your children, God's example should inspire us to extend full forgiveness when our children wrong us.

Just as God no longer holds our sins against us, dads shouldn't keep pulling up past offenses but should forgive completely from the heart (Matthew 18:21-35).

Dad’s understand that your Un-forgiveness builds walls between you and your child.

Dad’s the best example you could be for your kids is to be quick to forgive and forget the things that they have confessed to doing wrong, and dont hold them over their heads.

Dad’s when you forgive do not stay angry at them for what they have done wrong?

3rdly we can ….

Delight in God’s Fatherly Patience (v.14-16)

I dont know about you other dads but this was and is one of my biggest struggles as a dad.

I want my kids to do things well right away, I want them to excell at everything they do, I what them to be as good at things as I am.

And too many times this ends with me getting frustrated or even angry when I should have used those times to teach my kids patience.

Psalm 103:14–16 (ESV)

14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

Think about what the Psalmist is saying”

We have a patient heavenly father.

He knows that we are fail in our humanity, and He knows this it will take time for us to grow in our spiritual maturity,

and He is patient with us as we grow

A good father understands and makes allowances for the limitations of his children as they grow and mature.

Illustration: A little boy was struggling to tie his shoe over and over, growing frustrated. His wise father didn't get angry or take over, but kindly said, "It's okay buddy, Daddy will help you until you've got it mastered. I understand. how hard it can be to learn“

Our Heavenly Father patiently instructs us in our faith. He doesn't give up on us when we fail over and over again, He doesn't write us off but he loving sticks by our side continually imparting spiritual good into our lives.

Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We have a God who patiently understands us and our limitations.

We have a God who patiently delights in seeing us grow up in our walk with the lord.

we have a God who patiently teaches and leads us in the way we should go!

We have a patient loving forgiving father.

So what does this mean for us dads?

We must be patient and nurturing with our kids through their stages of development and mistakes.

We must understand that it takes a lifetime for them to grow in their walk with the Lord, and this means that We must be slow to anger and quick to encourage our kids, And to never stop imparting spiritual good into their lives.

Finally David says in verses 17- 18 We can

Delight in God’s Fatherly Faithfulness (v.17-18)

Psalm 103:17–18 (ESV)

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

I love this line..

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him...with those who keep his covenant." (v.17-18)

Meaning if you are a follower of Christ- Gods Love will never leave you.

He will Be a faithful father in Your life.

Human fathers, We can be inconsistent at times, We are not always faithful in our love for our kids, We are not always faithful in our compassion or forgiveness, or kindness, our instruction with our kids.

but God's fatherly love is unfailing and everlasting.

We can delight that our Heavenly Father is faithful.

He will always remain steadfast and faithful to His children

In Hebrews 13:5 we read that God has said “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU!”

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

5 …he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This means that Gods father care over our lives is not dependent on us as the children. it means that when we run from Him He runs after us

it means that when we sin against him He will be quick to forgive us

it means that when we continue to fail and fall , he will be patient with us

It means that when we doubt his word, He will not doubt our relationship with Him

it means that when he adopted us as His own child there is no way for that adoption to ever be reverses. and it means that our eternal inheritance he gave us as His child can never be taken away.

We can delight in our heavenly father Because He will be faithful in our lives. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Dad’s While we may stumble and even let our children down at times, we are called to model God's unwavering commitment with our own kids.

Dad’s let me be honest with you Faithful dads remain present , loving and involved in their kids' lives, no matter how difficult your life’s circumstances may be.

Whether you may be divorced or still married to your kids mom- Dads, your kids need you to be faithful in their lives- they need your steadfast love, they need your unwavering compassion, they need you to teach them patience, They need you to them them a godly legacy that they can carry on in their own lives.

Example: Consider the story in Luke 15 about the faithful father whose son went astray and wasted his inheritance. But instead of giving up on him, the father patiently welcomed him back and restored him without reservation. That's the heart we want to have toward our children (Luke 15).

We must understand that it takes a lifetime for them to grow in their walk with the Lord, and this means that We must be slow to anger and quick to encourage them, it means that we must be faithful And to never stop imparting spiritual good into their lives.

The Closing

David overwhelmed from Delighting in His heavenly father closes out this Psalm of Praise with the same declaration He began it with

“Bless the Lord Oh mY Soul” (verses20-22)

Psalm 103:22 (ESV)

22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

This should be our response as we delight in our heavenly Father

Bless the Lord Oh my Soul and all this is with in me bless His Holy Name.

For those of us in Christ, God is the perfect Father who showers His love on His beloved children.

We can delight in our Heavenly father today Because He adopted us into his forever family

We can delight in our Heavenly father today Because His compassion towards us is Perfect in every way

We can delight in our Heavenly father today Because His forgiveness is Complete and our sin will be remembered no more

We can delight in our Heavenly father today Because His Patinece is unending even though we may be slow to learn at times.

We can delight in our Heavenly father today Because His faithfulness is eternal It will not and cannot ever diminish.

Dad’s While no earthly father is perfect, we have the model of our Heavenly Father to guide and inspire us as dads.

Be a picture of your heavenly father to your kids

Be loving, be forgiving ,be patient, and be faithfully present in your kids lives

Dad’s be the example worthy of being followed

Pray