Lately, the Lord has brought to mind the phrase Father knows best! I remember watching reruns of the old tv show in black and white when I was a kid. The dad of the family was honored because of his position as father and head of the house. His wife respected him as leader and provider of the home. It was her joy to serve and love him. The children admired their dad and aspired to make him proud. It was an idyllic portrayal of family, one that you don't see too often anymore.
Today, in a time and culture when fathers aren't always respected or honored as they should be, I believe the Lord wants to speak about our relationship with Him as God, our Father.
How do we see Him? How should we relate to Him as Father? How can we trust that He truly knows best?
Can we trust what the Lord says?
Will it really come to pass? Will it be as He says? And when?
Will His Words be fulfilled in the way we imagine, the way we want them to? What if we don't fully understand what He is saying? (Isn't this likely?)
So how do we trust in our Father who we don't fully comprehend?
How do we respect Him and believe His Words when it's hard to wrap our mind around who He is and what He is saying?
He is so big.
His Words hold such mystery. And they often leave room for question or interpretation.
Why does He do this?
Why does the Lord surround Himself such in mystery?
Why does He allow us this struggle to believe?
These are questions for us to ponder, and ponder, and ponder, again. I believe that as we continue to seek, we will continue to find. That has been my experience, and probably yours. And although the beautiful finding always satisfies something deep within, it also never fails to open up a taller door, to a bigger room, full of more mystery!
So with all this wondering, how can we know that this Father God of ours truly knows best?
I'm finding that setting my mind on the following truths brings greater confidence in the King. He is in control, and He also cares deeply for you and me. So I'm sharing here, in hope that your heart and mind will be more secured in our Father - within the wondering.
Meditate on the following truths by reading them aloud and joining in the prayers of response, or giving voice to your own. You may want to read them all in one sitting, or perhaps spread them out to meditate on each one slowly throughout the day.
Meditate: We are Chosen by This Father.
I have reached to wherever you are in the farthest corners of the earth, and the most hidden places therein. I have called to you and said, 'You are my servant. I have chosen you, not thrown you away!'
Isaiah 41:9 (The Voice)
Prayer:
Father,
You chose me.
Thank you for choosing me, for loving me and calling me Your own. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the Way back to You. You have shown me my worth by sacrificing Your Son on my behalf. Thank You. I receive Your choosing and let it settle deep down within.
(Pause & take it in.)
Meditate: This Father Never Leaves.
So don't be afraid. I am here, with you; don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.
Isaiah 41:10
Prayer:
Lord, You are always near. Your Word and Holy Spirit comfort me, guide me, and I am never alone. I am never without Your voice, Your Presence, Your reassuring love. Thank You. Make me more aware of Your nearness.
(Pause & take it in.)
Meditate: This Father is Wisdom.
Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish, and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead. And don't think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong. Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil.
If you depend on Him, your body and mind will be free from the strain of a sinful life, will experience healing and health, and will be strengthened at their core.
Proverbs 3:5-8
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, You know everything and You make Your wisdom available to me. As I seek You in Your Word I will find You, Your truth and Your way. I will trust what You teach me and follow Your lead.
Help me to know You more as my Father, while respecting Your position of God - Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Powerful. I will never know all that You know and that is the way it's meant to be! You are the King on the throne and I honor You for who You are.
(Pause & take rest in this truth.)
Meditate: This Father Loves Me Best.
O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am;
You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again. Even when I am far away, You know what I'm thinking. You observe my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming, and You know everything I do in more detail than even I know.
You know what I'm going to say long before I say it. It is true, Eternal One, that You know everything and everyone.
You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me, and You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder.
It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply You know me, inside and out; the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it.
Psalm 139:1-6
Prayer:
Father, thank You for knowing, loving, and leading me best. You are faithful to Your love, faithful to fathering me, and faithful to helping me become who You know me to be. My life is in Your capable, dependable hands and that is just where I need and want to be.
I thank You, love You, praise and honor You as my faithful Father, for You truly do know best!
Amen
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