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Devotional | Cindy Western | Dec 19, 2020
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6
Our response to the word father is undeniably tied to our experience with our earthly father. If your father is, or was, distant, absent, or abusive, your reaction might be one of fear, resentment, or even feeling unworthy of love. If your father is, or was, involved, encouraging, and handled discipline from a place of love, not anger, you most likely associate positive feelings toward the word father.
My husband passed away last year, suddenly and unexpectedly. He was the father to our six children. He loved being a dad, and he was good at it. He wasn’t perfect. He would be the first to admit that he fell short in some areas, but he loved his kids in the way each of them needed. Even though his role was father to all six, he understood each relationship was different because of the two people involved in it. My own father is much the same way. I have two sisters, and when we catch each other up on our conversations with our dad, it’s always funny to hear how different our times are with him.
Father, when associated with God, encompasses perfection that even the best earthly father can’t. His love is perfect and unconditional. You don’t have to perform to earn his love or attention. He loves you when you are rejoicing, and he loves you when you are at your worst. His love is transformational and meets you right where you are because you are worthy, every day. Our heavenly Father is our protector and provider. He feels our pain and is our comforter. He is Everlasting, with no beginning and no end. Our good, Everlasting Father knows his children, our thoughts and our feelings, and loves us anyway. His grace is sufficient. When you don’t know what you need, or who to turn to, your Everlasting Father is there, ready to embrace you, guide you, and love you, with his perfect love.
cwestern@crossings.church
How has your relationship with your earthly father influenced how you understand God?
What characteristics of your Everlasting Father do you need right now? Add those to the following prayer.
Everlasting Father,
Thank you for accepting me for who I am: broken, imperfect, rebellious. Your grace is enough for me. You are the perfect Father, your intentions and actions are always for my good. I pray that your transforming love brings me closer to the person you created me to be. In this moment, I pray for your provision and protection...and that I might see the goodness in all of your ways as you love me as a Father with the perspective of eternity.