This is what the Sovereign God—the one true Father of eternity says to us: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you resist me. You mount your horses and ride away into your foolishness. But you can’t outrun my providence and my severe mercy. But I long to be gracious to you, and I will rise up to show you compassion.” Paraphrase of Isaiah 30:15-17
Heavenly Father, what a perfect passage to pray through on this Father’s Day, for it reveals the greatness of your love and the depth of our need. You are the Father we always wanted and need.
The way you care for your people is incomparable and irresistible—yet foolishly we do resist. Whether through chronic unbelief, the illusion of self-sufficiency, the deceitfulness of sin… we find ways to ignore your heart and the resources of the Gospel. Yet you remain tenacious in your longing to be gracious to us.
Father, there are times when “riding off on swift horses” looks like a great option—when the demands upon us seem to far outweigh the resources within us. When we exhaust our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual reserves. When we feel as empty as the Grand Canyon is deep, or as angry as a cornered dragon, or as full of shame as the Pacific Ocean is full of salt water. Even then, you woo us to yourself. Especially then, we need you.
The call to repentance and rest, and quietness and trust, comes to us like a hug from heaven, a kiss from above. For repentance is collapsing on Jesus, not ramping up our commitment to do more and try harder. Abba, only your love is better than life. Only your mercies sufficient for our messes. Only your kindness is powerful enough to lead us to repentance. No one else can touch the deepest place in our hearts but you. On this Father’s Day, we praise, bless, and adore you. So Very Amen.