Steadfast, Immovable, Abounding

This is the third installment in my advent series.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders, and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable of a son who, demanding his share of the inheritance before his father’s death, journeys to a distant country and squanders it all. Starving and penniless, he ultimately decides to return to his father and offer himself, not as a son, but as a servant. In verses 20-24, we are told, “‘So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am not longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” And they began to celebrate.’” The son didn’t expect to find such love and compassion waiting for him. His highest hope was to be accepted as his father’s hired worker; he knew he was completely undeserving of the title of “child.” Yet the father’s love could not be altered by the rebellious wanderings of his son. I love the phrase “while he was still a long way off.” The son didn’t have to request an audience with the father in order to beg his forgiveness. Instead, his father met him on the road and welcomed him with open arms.

This parable is such a beautiful illustration of the father’s heart of our God. He has no stipulations when we come to Him; there is no to-do list we must check off to be accepted into His family. He asks us only for ourselves—our heart of faith and repentance that longs to be known by the God who created us. And when we offer this broken heart to Him, he casts away our sin and makes us completely and irrevocably new. Psalm 103:12-13 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” This compassionate Father longs for a relationship with His creation. He longs for us to be called children of God.

God promises to fill whatever voids our earthly fathers cannot. Psalm 68:4-6 says, “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation.” Jesus even said in Matthew 23:8-10, “‘But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is Christ.’” Now I think context is important here. Jesus was speaking of the pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisees, whose self-image was supported by those who called them “Rabbi.” I don’t believe Jesus meant that we cannot call our earthly father our father, but we must always remember that his role is but a reflection of our true Father in heaven.

Isaiah says this Father in heaven is an eternal Father. No matter what may happen on earth, we who are adopted by God can never be fatherless. To the one who has never known an earthly father: He is your Father. To the one whose father never even attempted to exemplify the character of God: He is your Father. To the one whose relationship with their father wears battle scars or has even gone by the wayside: He is your Father. And to the one who waits faithfully to be reunited with their father at the gates of heaven: He is still your Father.

If you are reading this, know that I have prayed for you. I have asked that God would surround you with His comfort and compassion and remind you constantly of His great love for you. Like any good father, He knows what you need better than you ever could. Jesus says in Matthew 7:9-11, “‘Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!’” Rely on God’s perfect wisdom and strength. There is no safer place to be held than in the palm of His hand. May the cry of our hearts be like Isaiah’s: “But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).