Many people struggle with the image of God as a father. I can understand that, for my own earthy father was not perfect. He was a drunk, and cussed like the sailor he was. He also had that famous Irish temper. But he was never physically abusive with me. He did get carried away one time while disciplining my oldest brother. But after that, he left the discipline to Mom because he was afraid he would get carried away again. I know he loved me, but he was weak.
Unfortunately, many people have been abused by their fathers. Some have never seen their fathers because their fathers died before they were born, some due to war, some due to crime, illness, or injury. Some people do not know who their fathers are.
Despite the shortcomings of many earthly fathers, God represents Himself to us as our Father. Why? Because that best represents Him and how He wants to relate to us.
The first thing a man does to become a father is to give life. Because God is the Creator of all life, even someone who is not born again can call God, “Father.”
The next thing a father does is work to provide for his offspring. Jesus spoke about how God provides for the birds and He adorns the flowers with beauty. John the Baptist said that no man can receive anything except it be provided by heaven. James wrote that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.
Fathers also provide instruction and wisdom. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon said much about the value of a father's instruction. He was also quick to label as fools those who ignored such teaching.
Finally, fathers correct and discipline their children. Discipline is not just for the fathers to vent their anger at the child's misbehavior. The discipline should work for the child's benefit by directing him away from wrong behavior.
All this is motivated by love.
One of the most well-known stories illustrating a father's heart is The Prodigal Son. A Baptist pastor I knew years ago preferred to call it The Forgiving Father, because the father's forgiveness is the dominant element in the story. We call it The Prodigal Son because we identify with him so much.
I have another story that shows a father's heart.
In The Rockford Files TV series, James Garner played Jim Rockford, a private investigator who lived and worked out of his mobile home at Malibu Beach. Jim's father, Rocky, was a crusty, but good-natured, retired truck driver.
One day, Rocky fills in for another truck driver by making his delivery for him. He winds up at the wrong place at the wrong time and almost witnesses a murder. But the bad guys think he did. So, a couple of thugs go to Rocky's house and they have a fight.
Rocky gets away from the thugs and goes to Jim's trailer. Jim wants Rocky to stay at the trailer while he goes to investigate.
Rocky doesn't like that plan. He's not the type to run and hide. He wants to get out and help find those thugs to bring them to justice. You can see that Jim and Rocky are headed for a BIG argument.
Then Jim does something really underhanded. He softens the expression on his face and says one word, “Please.”
Rocky stayed. What else could he do?
