Some times we have this version of God the Father that is based on the wrathful God of the Old Testament. He's punishing and angry. But that is so far off, even if you study just the old Testament. We tend to see Jesus as the compassionate, loving Savior and the Father as the disciplinarian. I kind of grew up thinking of God with a little of that mixed in. The "God is watching, do good." kind of mentality that really comes short of His true nature. This week in Bible Study Fellowship we were in chapters 13 and 14 of John and one of the passages jumped out at me in a fresh way. And what a beautiful verse it is!
John 14:1-11 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
Look at that verse closely. Does it not seem as if the Father Himself is speaking to Philip? "Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me, Philip?" And He addressed Philip personally! The Father was right there with them, in Jesus. Doing the works of compassion and healing. Teaching patiently. Serving lovingly. Washing their feet, even of the one who was to betray Him. This is the Father. Not only do we see Him in the Old Testament as a Father who corrects and disciplines those He loves. Our Father in Heaven is compassionate and loving. He is caring and tenderhearted towards His children. Yes, He will discipline those who stray....but it's with a heart seeking to draw them back to safety and holiness. To draw them back to Himself.
Remember the words in Hebrews 12:3-11 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 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.
He is so much more than the wrathful God of the Old Testament. His wrath comes against those who continually and intentionally sin against Him. But it's in order to correct and redeem them. His heart is never petty, but loving. He hates sin because He knows how bad it is for us and the consequences and sorrow it brings to our lives. Is it any wonder He seeks to draw us back from it in any way possible. It's not just in the New Testament we see the love of God through Jesus. The Father and Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit are one. The love of our Father is written all through the pages of the Bible...from start to finish, from "In the beginning" to "May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's holy people." It's paints the words in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. What a loving Father we have.
Lord, You love us with an everlasting love. A love that blesses, protects, carries, corrects, forgives, encourages, redeems and covers us with Your care. What a blessed people we are! I pray that we will remember this love in each moment of our day, whether things go right or things go wrong. Some days it's so easy to see You in a negative light. But let us remember the love You showed in going to the Cross and know that it is enough. You are preparing a place for us in eternity that far outweighs any of our "light affliction" (2 Corinthians 4:17). And each and every circumstance we face and walk through on earth is used for Your perfect plan for us. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Lord, let us remember how much You love us. In Jesus our Savior's Name. Amen
Look in the Psalms and see the love of the Father.
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