The Father Heart of God

To start off I have an exercise for you to do. I would like you to write down at least 10 attributes that you associate with your earthly father. Things like; loving, caring, abusive, absent whatever the case may be.

 

My Dad: Loving, man of God, good worker, tough, good father, provider, grandfather, kind, disciplinary, manly man

 

Now, I would like you to do the same with God the father. How is it that you view him?

 

Here are some biblical descriptions of God the father:

 

Advocate – 1 John 2:1

Comforter – Jeremiah 8:18

Deliverer – Romans 11:26

Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6

Faithful and True Witness – Revelation 3:14

Friend of Sinners – Matthew 11:19

Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

Refiner – Malachi 3:2

Purifier – Malachi 3:3

Rock – Deuteronomy 32:4

Root of David – Revelation 22:16

Savior – 2 Samuel 22:47; Luke 1:47

Sacrifice – Ephesians 5:2

Teacher – Matthew 26:18

Truth – John 14:6

 

 

Are there discrepancies between how you view your father and God the father? Are there discrepancies between how you view God the Father and how the bible describes Him?

 

Unfortunately there is a direct correlation between our earthly father and how we view God the father. Fathers have been placed on earth to show us what God looks like. Sometimes fathers do a very good job at that. They are present, they are loving and caring and are not afraid to discipline to keep you on the straight and narrow. Sometimes fathers fail at showing us the example of Father God that they were created to do. Sometimes he is absent. Whether he is not there often because of work, or divorce, or death, the fact is that he was not there has you needed him to be. There was no example of Father God because he was not there. Maybe he was present in body, but unable to express love as you needed to feel/see it. Another father may have been very strict, seemingly only concerned with performance and obedience. The end is all that matters, and it better be done right. Another father may be abusive; physically, mentally, sexually. He abused you and/or someone in your family, and did not live the example of what a Godly man looks like. Another father may push you to do well, and criticize you when you do not perform as he thought you should. When you fail or do not live up to his expectations, he lets you know.

 

So the 6 examples of fathers are 

The "perfect father"

The absent father

The  passive father

The authoritarian father

The abusive father

The accusing father

 

The perfect father is a father that provides a good example of who God the father is. He is present, he loves well and provides well for his children. However, he is not actually perfect because he is a man. In this, the perfect father will have some attributes of the other types of fathers. This father will raise children/adults who love and walk close with God the father.

 

2) The absent father is a father who, as said before, is not present. The lack of presence is due to a number of things including death, divorce, work. This father may be a good man, loving and Godly. However, his lack of presence in your life has left you feeling abandoned, unloved and without an example of father God.

 

3) The passive father is a father who is present, but is not present all at the same time. He does not know how to interact or show the love that he has. This cause you to feel as though he does not care, that there is no concern for your welfare. That you are all alone and must handle things all on your own.

 

4) The authoritarian father is very strict and military like. There is a list of do's and don'ts and there is only one way to do those, his way. He seems unconcerned with your dreams and desires. This causes you to feel not good enough, it causes you to perform and continually look for acceptance.

 

5) The abusive father is a father who uses his authority in a completely wrong way. Whether the abuse is verbal, physical, mental or sexual, he inflicts pain directly on you and does not seem to care about how that may effect you. This leaves you with a distorted view of God the father and a mistrust for authority. The wound is deep.

 

6) The accusing father is one that claims to love you, however he points out every fault and failure. It leaves you feeling as though you cannot live up to his expectations, that you are a failure and never will be good enough for him. 

 

I want you to take a moment and think about where your father fits in. There can be aspects from more than one father type. Go ahead and write it down. Knowing what type of father raised you will help you know why you view God a certain way and will help you move past their imperfections and learn the true love of God the father. 

 

Now I want to show you some of the characteristics of Father God. He is a father unlike any other, including the "perfect father".  Father God is the only perfect father that exists. 

 

He is gracious, trustworthy, loving, giving, caring, good, merciful, tender, abba father, daddy. He is passionate for you and the things that make you happy. God the father is with you always and knows your every need. He is just and he cares about everything you do, say, dream and long for. This father longs to spend time with you; Teaching you, loving you, giving good gifts to you. He is the one who has created you and the desires within you. He knew you before time and is excited that you are here, now, in His presence.

 

Sometimes, in order to see God the father as He truly is, we need to first forgive our earthly father for not living up to the standard of God. I do not mean thins in a way that you put your earthly father down, but rather, recognize his human nature and failures, forgive him of those, and embrace your perfect heavenly dad. So go ahead, dig deep down and see your father, with his imperfections and offenses against you. Forgive him, if you need to, write a letter. Even if you never send the letter. Just get out the emotions that have built up over the years. Then forgive him. You will feel the freedom and a new closeness with your Abba Father.

 

To conclude, I have here a letter from Father God. You can find everything written here in the bible. This is not my letter, I did not spend the time to find all the verses, but here it is:

 

My Child,

 

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)

I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31)

For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)

In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28)

For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)

And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41-44)

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16)

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1)

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11)

For I am the perfect father. (Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17)

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.(Psalms 139:17-18)

And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4)

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.(Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.(John 17:23)

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)

He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3)

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31)

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10)

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23)

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.(Romans 8:38-39)

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.(Luke 15:7)

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.(Ephesians 3:14-15)

My question is…Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)

I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

 

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God