Your Heavenly Father Loves You - Homeword - August 11
Your Heavenly Father Loves You
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
An important reminder today: God is love. Surprised? I hope not, but in the midst of life’s situations – from the simple frustrations like being stuck in traffic on your way to a business appointment or forgetting your homework to big life-dominating crises like a parent with cancer or a job that is making you miserable – it’s easy to forget that your heavenly father loves you more than anyone else!
God, our heavenly Father, loves each one of us better than any earthly father ever can. God wants us to think of Him and experience Him as our Daddy. In Romans 8:15, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For you did not receive a spirit of fear that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him, we cry Abba Father.” A literal way of translating the word Abba is Daddy – that close, intimate, loving word many kids use in addressing their fathers. God wants to be known as our ultimate Daddy.
To those who have been abused by the actions of your earthly fathers, let me encourage you, run to God – your heavenly father – who always loves you, always cares for you and can always, always be trusted –will never, ever let you down.
Today, may we all find comfort and encouragement through the following descriptions of our heavenly Father found in the Scriptures:
“See how much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” 1 John 3:1 (NLT)
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 (NLT)
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” Psalm 27:10 (NLT)
“The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.” Psalm 145:8 (NLT)
“The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Psalm 145:9 (NLT)
“The Lord is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does.” Psalm 145:13 (NLT)
“The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.” Psalm 145:14 (NLT)
“The Lord is close to all who call upon him.” Psalm 145:18 (NLT)
“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.” Psalm 86:5 (NLT)
“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows–this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Psalm 68:5 (NLT)
“As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalm 18:30 (NLT)
GOING DEEPER:
1. Consider ways that God has demonstrated he has been a loving father to you.
2. Thank God for being your Heavenly Father.
FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 10:14, 145:18; Matthew 10:30-31
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