The Bible tells us much about God being our true Father. Some people grow up without a father, never knew their father, or had a father who was emotionally absent from their lives. Any of these scenarios can make us feel alone, rejected, and hated. God created families to be a mom and a dad with their kids. He never intended for one of the parents to leave or to be absent from their children's life. Fathers being absent, either emotionally or literally, can affect kids significantly.
I have known many people who have never known their fathers, and it impacted them on a deep level. Some were more vocal about it, while others buried it deep. One person said that they finally made peace with the absence of their father by knowing that their Father in Heaven loved them. This is what we all must rely on; God is our true Father. Regardless of your situation with your dad, know that God loves you, He is always with you, and He will always be by your side (Romans 8:37-39).
1. Matthew 23:9
1. Matthew 23:9
"And do not call anyone on earth' father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)
The Lord tells us here that we only have one Father, and He is in Heaven. Everyone, regardless of their relationship with their own father, needs to know that God is their true Father. He loves us with an undying love that will never be shaken. While we cannot see our Heavenly Father, He is always with us and wraps us in the shelter of His wings (Psalm 91:4).
Even if we have an amazing earthly father, God is still our Heavenly Father. He loves us more than any person can. He can also protect us and keep us safe like nobody else can (2 Thessalonians 3:3; Proverbs 18:10). As His children, we need to know that we can always rely on Him and trust Him with our lives. He is our good, good Father.
2. James 1:17
2. James 1:17
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
The Apostle James informs us through this passage that every good gift comes from the Father. This means that everything we have been blessed with is from Him. Salvation, forgiveness, family, and homes are just a few examples. Everything good in our life has come from Him. He loves us and will continue to bless us with many gifts, although we don't need to expect these gifts to be materialistic. They will most likely be spiritual gifts, such as growth in our walk with Him.
A second aspect of James 1:17 we need to focus on is where James says that the Father does not change like shifting shadows. Although our earthly fathers might be here one day and gone tomorrow, our Heavenly Father is always with us and never changes. The love He has for us will never weaken or diminish. The Father's love will forever be present, strong, and steadfast.
3. 1 John 3:1
3. 1 John 3:1
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (1 John 3:1)
This Bible verse reminds us that we are God's children. What a beautiful truth it is to know that we are God's children. Because of the Father's love, we are not cast away. While we were still sinners, He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8). This shows how much God loves us and what lengths He would go to to redeem us.
The Father didn't spare His Son in order to save us. We need to think over this matter and understand how much our Heavenly Father cares for us as a father should. Even if your earthly father has failed you or let you down, know that the Heavenly Father is always for you and never against you (Romans 8:31). He is your biggest supporter and encourager.
4. Galatians 4:6
4. Galatians 4:6
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" (Galatians 4:6)
As the Apostle Paul highlights in this passage, we are God's children. Because we are God's children, He has sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. It is the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." The Holy Spirit dwells in our souls from the moment we place faith in Jesus. He will never leave us or lead us astray.
If a person has the Holy Spirit in them, then they are children of God. As children of God, we have citizenship in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). We don't have to worry or stress about our future because we know it is found in God. The Father is our loving Father, who sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts in order for us to live. Praise be to the Father, who has blessed us beyond measure.
Photo credit: GettyImages/Liderina
5. Hebrews 12:5-7
5. Hebrews 12:5-7
"And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?" (Hebrews 12:5-7).
The writer of Hebrews points out in this Bible passage that if we are disciplined by the Lord, then we are being treated as God's children. The discipline we receive attests to our adoption as sons and daughters to the Father. We need to take in stride the hardship and discipline we are experiencing because all fathers discipline their children for their betterment. If we were not being disciplined or corrected, we would have a reason to worry.
6. Isaiah 64:8
6. Isaiah 64:8
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8)
Isaiah 64:8 states that the Lord is our Father, we are the clay, He is the potter, and we are the work of His hands. The Father loves us and has crafted each of us beautifully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14). As a true Father would, He has established us as the most spectacular part of His creation. He is proud of us and is overjoyed when we make strides for His Kingdom. As the work of the Father's hands, there is nothing we can't do to serve Him and bring His Name glory.
7. Psalm 103:13
7. Psalm 103:13
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103:13)
Every human father has compassion on his children, and the Lord will also have compassion on those who fear Him. While this passage might feel scary at first because it involves the word "fear," what this word actually refers to is respecting God. Rather than saying "fear," it should say "respect." The Father does not want us to fear Him but to respect Him.
Similarly, as God's children, He will have compassion on us. The Father loves us beyond measure; therefore, we don't need to doubt His caring hand over our life. There will never be a day when the Father will cast us away or throw us into the darkness. As His children, He will extend mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to us.
8. Malachi 2:10
8. Malachi 2:10
"Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?" (Malachi 2:10).
As the prophet Malachi poses in this Bible verse, we all have one Father and one God who created us. The Father is often referred to as God; however, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also God. One God, yet three distinct persons. The Father created us in His own image (Genesis 1:27), and He longs to see all of us come to place faith in His Son (1 Timothy 2:3-4). God is our true Father and wants what is best for us. We all come from the same Father and Creator; one day, we will return to Him.
9. Isaiah 63:16
9. Isaiah 63:16
"But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name." (Isaiah 63:16)
The prophet Isaiah wrote these words a long time ago, yet they continue to remind us that God is our true Father. As Isaiah points out in this passage, God is Judah's Father, even though Abraham doesn't know them or Israel acknowledges them. In the same way, God is our Father even if no one else acknowledges us. He is our Redeemer and will continue to redeem those who come to know Him. He is the Father of all who would place faith in Jesus and desire a relationship with Him.
10. Proverbs 3:11-12
10. Proverbs 3:11-12
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." (Proverbs 3:11-12)
As believers, we don't need to grow weary when the Lord disciplines us because He disciplines those He loves. Just as a father rebukes his child and sets his feet back on the right path, God does this for us. Whenever we face hard times, we must remember that this happens when the Father is disciplining us. It is not a bad thing. It attests to our relationship with the Father.
He is our true Father and will continue to lead us down the road of hope, obedience, and trust. Even if our earthly fathers do not do this for us, we can count on our Heavenly Father. He will never let us down, leave us, or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6). Praise God for being our true Father, who loves us and is always there for us!
Originally published June 02, 2025.
