Fatherly Hope
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.Revelation 21:3
Happy Father’s Day! Indeed, it’s “Father’s Day”, in case you forgot! For me that means a couple of new things this year. It’s the first Father’s Day with my Dad living in Nashville and the first Father’s Day I’m also a granddad! Though my Dad knows me less and less, and though Finn is just barely beginning to know me, I celebrate with all of you the unparalleled, dementia-proof, glorious good news that we are perfectly known, accepted, loved and enjoyed by “the Father from whom all fatherhood derives its name” (Greek of Ephesians 3:15).
As we continue mining Revelation 21:1-22:6 for all the gems of hope stored up for us there, we come to this very loud affirmation of Fatherly-hope as John’s his vision of heaven was unfolding. Though in the gospel we are already legally and fully adopted as sons and daughters of the living God, and though we are already enjoying many of the great delights of being able to call God, Abba, Father, in front of us is the Day when that perfectly secured relationship will be securely perfected forever.
When Jesus comes back to finish making all things new, God the Father will dwell with us in unbroken, undiluted and undiminished relationship, and we with him. Hallelujah! This is a covenant promise God made when he first began revealing his story of redemption in the Bible, a promise reaffirmed throughout the history of redemption in Scripture after Scripture.
Yesterday we affirmed that Jesus is the spouse we always wanted. Today, on this Father’s Day, let’s affirm that Abba, Father is the father we always wanted. No father could ever be to you and for you what God the Father alone can be. So today, for the sweet memories of how your earthly dad loves/loved you well, give praise to God, and thanks to your dad. But for the ways your earthly dad hasn’t reflected the tenderness and engagement of your heavenly Father, extend the grace of Jesus, and give great praise to Abba Father for adopting you into his family, story, embrace and delight! You’re not an orphan. Don’t live like one!