Behold, ponder, contemplate—be astonished, smitten and speechless “at the great love the Father has lavished on us.” 1 John 3:1
Heavenly Father, thank you for being the Father we long for, always wanted, and desperately need. We call tomorrow “Father’s Day,” but in the Gospel, every day is Father’s Day. Here’s seven of multiple reasons we’re grateful this is true. If I could do back-flips, I’d do 7—one for each of these.
- Thank you for adopting us—not metaphorically, but for real and forever. We’re your beloved children, Jesus is our perfect righteousness, and your sovereignty is our peace-fueling sanity.
- Thank you for giving us the “Spirit of sonship” (Rom.8:15-16). The Holy Spirit is our permanent heart-guest, and he’s constantly exalting Jesus and telling us how much you love us.
- Thank you for being “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor.1:3). There’s not a scintilla (tiniest speck) of contempt in you. And you’re never ashamed of us or too busy for us.
- Thank you for promising to finish the work you began in us, Abba (Phil.1:6). Our relationship with you is all by grace, and all for your glory. On that soon coming Day, we will be totally like Jesus. Hallelujah!
- Thank you that we’ll never experience separation or diminishing of your love. It’s stunning, counterintuitive, and true: You love us just as much as you love Jesus … all the time.
- Thank you for grace to forgive and celebrate our earthly fathers. There’s reasons for both, but no dad could ever “parent us” the way only you can, Abba.
- Thank you for the spiritual fathers you’ve given us—our Gospel-Dads and grace-Papa’s. They are your heart and hand, and bring us joy and healing. So Very