READ: PSALM 68:5-6; MATTHEW 7:9-11; LUKE 15:11-32; JOHN 10:27-30

What is a good father like? One who loves his children—not for what they do (or don’t do) but simply because they’re his. Who takes the time to simply be there to listen to his children, share in their dreams, and build them up with words of encouragement. Who is a safe place and a shelter from harm.

But in this broken world, not all fathers are good fathers, and no father is perfect. If you had no positive father influences in your life, the concept of a good father might seem as distant as the far side of the sea. Even if you have a father figure who is an amazing example of what a father should be, he’ll still let you down sometimes because we’re all sinners in need of a Savior.

Whatever we’ve personally experienced when it comes to fathers, we have this common thread of hope: once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, God is our Father. He is THE Father—here before the world was formed, speaking all creation into existence. He made each one of us, and He delights in us! He loves us so deeply that He gave His own life for us, even when we wanted nothing to do with Him.

Like in Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, God is always waiting for us with open arms when we return from our wandering. There are no limits to His love, no sin too appalling. He always searches for the one who is lost. He gives good gifts to His children. He listens every time we call to Him. He teaches us and helps us become more like Jesus. He rejoices over us with singing!

Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God has made the way for us to confidently approach His throne of grace, to find mercy and help in our time of need. He is our safe place, our refuge. He is the Rock we can stand on and the fortress we can hide in. He rescues us from sin and temptation…even from the grave! He strengthens us, protects us, encourages us. When we belong to our Father God, no one can snatch us out of His hands. • Savannah Coleman

• What are some of the ways God has shown us He is a good Father? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 18:2; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:1-10; 19:10; John 1:1-14; 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:5; James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 5:7)

• When you hear the word father, what comes to mind? If you’ve been abandoned or mistreated by your earthly father, know this: God wants so badly to be your Father that He suffered the cross for you. He will never abandon you. Consider taking some time to talk to God, letting your wounded heart be held and healed by the one who loves you unconditionally.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 (NIV)