A great King ruled over a mighty kingdom. He was kind but did not like when people barged into the throne room. Especially when he was busy! The King employed a new guard and gave him strict instructions. “When I am working, I do not want to be interrupted. Is that clear?”
The fellow nodded, “Yes, Sire! I understand. No one may interrupt you.”
The hours quickly passed, and everything was going well. That is, until a slip of a girl danced by while he was taking a sip of water. Hearing a creaking sound, he turned to see a grubby-faced child pushing the great door open just wide enough for her to squeeze through.
“No! Stop! The King must not be disturbed!”
Looking back at the guard, she giggled and kept running – straight into the throne room. Hearing a trill of laughter, the King lifted his head, his face alight with joy. The young guard close on the child’s heels was just about to grab her, when the King rose from his chair and caught the laughing child in his arms.
Out of breath, the youth stammered, “Sire. I tried to stop her. I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again.”
The King turned eyes of reproach on the speaker. Hugging the child protectively to his heart, he said, “This is my beloved daughter. She may enter my presence anytime she wants. Do not ever try to stop her!”
She may enter my presence any time she wants.
Sunday is Father’s Day.
Do you cringe when this day rolls around?
Perhaps your dad has died. Or he was an absentee dad who abandoned you. Or perhaps he was abusive.
Your pain is legitimate and your loss is real. But I have good news for you. You can still celebrate Father’s Day.
Are you asking how?
Join me in honoring the Daddy of Jesus.
From childhood, I loved Jesus because He was kind. In His presence, I felt safe. But, I was not comfortable with God the Father – who I thought was a mean old man.
A few years ago, I was speaking with Ken Symington, author of Loved Like Never Before: Discovering the Father Heart of God. Ken mentioned the Daddy of Jesus is a good, good Daddy.
I love that! Jesus is good and gracious. And His Daddy is good and gracious just like He is.
How can I be sure?
When Jesus told His disciples He was going away, He said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9b).
Jesus looks just like His Daddy. Everything He said or did was in obedience to His Daddy’s will. Be assured, whatever you see in Jesus, you will find in His Daddy.
Do you wish the Daddy of Jesus could be your Daddy, too?
He can!
The good news is if Jesus is your LORD and Saviour, then His Daddy adopted you and has become your Daddy, too.
Early childhood wounds may skew your image of God the Father, but if you focus on Jesus – you will experience the truth. The truth that the Daddy of Jesus is good and He loves you, will set you free.
One of my greatest joys happened when His Spirit whispered, “You are My Beloved”.
My heart overflowed with joy as I realized the Heavenly Father had chosen me. He liked me and wanted to spend time with me. Wow!
Now, this is important!
The Daddy of Jesus beckons you to boldly enter His presence, any time of the day or night. You needn’t be shy or cower in His presence.
Do you wonder why? Because He is a good Daddy, and He loves you very much.
Prayer is not a ritual with a magic formula.
You don’t have to worry about getting it right. Prayer is talking to Abba Father, the Daddy of Jesus.
My heart was breaking the night the Lord showed me I was the little girl in the story, who ran past the guard into the throne room, right up to the King.
Trembling, I looked up into the face of the Daddy of Jesus. He reached down, scooped me up into His arms, and held me close to His heart as I wept. Like a good Daddy, the Father comforted me, speaking gently until I fell asleep in His arms.
In the morning, when I awoke, I had a whole new picture of the Heavenly Father. He isn’t a cruel old man; He is a tender Daddy, who loves me and calls me His own.
Now He calls you – to come to Him.
Do not be afraid, for this Daddy is the good Daddy of Jesus. If you belong to Jesus – this good, kind Daddy is also your Daddy, and He delights to hear your voice.
Dear Heart,
Take time to celebrate being loved by the wonderful Daddy of Jesus.
Lift your voice and sing with Stuart Townend, How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.
