Dads After the Father's Heart!

Well today is Father’s Day and it’s the day we honor our dads. Dads are really kind of special people. They are definitely unique and I’m sure all of us can remember some of the things dad said that really didn’t make too much sense. Remember falling off your bike, skinning your knees and crying only to hear dad ask, “Hey you want me to give you something to cry about?” Huh? Or the when I was your age.... I think we all have a few Dad-isms we remember especially when they are no longer with us. One of the things I’m realizing as I get older is this, I’m starting to automatically come out with these Dad-isms. Oh no! Anyway like I said, dads are really special and we are going to see what happens with dads who trust in God

Psalm 22:4–5 AMP

4 Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted (leaned on, relied on You, and were confident) and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, and confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed or confounded or disappointed.

1. Trusting God gives dads confidence!

I don’t need to tell you that there’s a lot of stressful things going on in the world today. If there’s anything that dads need today is the confidence that only God can give them. When God is on the seen, dads know for sure that God will come through in any circumstance and deliver them with His power.

Psalm 44:1–3 AMP

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem. WE HAVE heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us [what] work You did in their days, in the days of old. 2 You drove out the nations with Your hand and it was Your power that gave [Israel] a home by rooting out the [heathen] peoples, but [Israel] You spread out. 3 For they got not the land [of Canaan] in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your countenance [did it], because You were favorable toward and did delight in them.

2. Dads who trust God tell their children about Him!

When God takes care of us and does miracles over the years, the next generation needs to hear about His greatness. We’ve already seen that dads are under a lot of strength and God gives them the confidence to go on. So when God works out the problems and delivers dads, there is a His story to tell. Dads keep those stories alive and make sure the next generation knows about it.

Hebrews 12:7–11 NLT

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

3. Dads who trust God set standards in their family!

Again one of the things that’s missing today is standards. It seems like everything is open to personal preferences and by that I mean it’s almost as though lawlessness is the standard. But when dads trust God, they set standards and work on making sure they bring discipline when needed. Now we are not talking about abuse, but discipline so that the family unit is stronger. Just like God disciplines us so we hold up His standard and live His abundant life.

Luke 15:20–24 AMP

20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]! 22 But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring out that [wheat-]fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry, 24 Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry.

4. Dads who trust God believe the best of their children!

The story of the prodigal shows the heart of God towards us. Always there to forgive and think the best of us. That’s how dads are that trust God. Even though they might have been disappointed dads always are ready to restore their family if mistakes were made.