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Day 3 – Everlasting Father

Lord, what child hasn’t longed for a tender, compassionate father–one who never breaks his promises and one who will never desert his family?

Earthly Father vs. Everlasting Father

But our earthly dads are often limited by their humanness. At times even their best attempts at fathering will appear flawed, and they will occasionally disappoint us. Some surrender in exhaustion and despair at the sheer responsibility. Others keep on loving and serving their families the best way they can, eager to mirror Your character.

But You, Lord, are the Everlasting Father–the One who knows perfectly what we need. With Your great wisdom You give us only what is best. Even discouraged fathers can find hope, comfort, and encouragement in You. Your love is unconditional, and Your compassions never fail. Every morning You wrap Your arms around Your children, assuring them that Your acceptance and Your mercies last forever.

The Fatherless and the Father-mess

To the fatherless and the “father-mess,” we ask You to show Yourself especially faithful this Christmas. You show no favoritism, and Your desire is that all will come to know You as their Everlasting Father. Help us to reach out to the hopeless and the homeless–physically and spiritually– and share that the good news of Christmas means You are willing to be a Father to all who will accept Your love.

You Created Forever

With You, Lord, time has no limits. You created “forever.” And as a loving Father, you are preparing a wonderful place–a room in Your home for all Your children. Just as You prepare that place for us, Lord help us to prepare a place for You in our hearts every day of this Christmas season, as we anticipate an eternity with You.

You will never, ever leave us. Today, we celebrate You as our Everlasting Father!

“For to us a son is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father….” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Today is the third in a series of daily Christmas blogs: 25 Prayers for Christmas, celebrating the names of our precious Lord. I hope they will enrich your Christmas season and draw you closer to the One who is the true reason for Christmas.

Please share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to re-post on social media, using the buttons below. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone! 

photo courtesy of Dreegez www.sxc.hu

“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.”

When I saw that quote by Mark Twain, I thought about the recently released movie, Courageous. It demonstrated effectively both kinds of courage–physical and moral–and showed that if you’re courageous, with God’s help, you can truly change.

I never “review” movies, and I’m not doing that today. But every parent, grandparent, married couple, father, and family with their teens needs to see this movie. I haven’t laughed so hard or cried so many tears in a movie in a long time. The critics’ movie reviews are mixed, but the valuable truths in this great movie are not. See it soon.

What Is Courage?

What is courage? I once wrote that “Courage is the ability to determine what is valued. It is reaching beyond myself to a strength that is greater than my own and being willing to stand with Christ, with a faith that is greater than fear.” Many have lost that ability to determine what is true, valuable, and honorable.

When the exhortation, ”Just do what is right!” shrinks in its importance and turns to “Do what seems right in your own eyes,” the right kind of changes will never come. Perhaps that’s because real courage is a “God-thing.” And “doing what is right” means basing my every decision on biblical values, on what is right in God’s eyes.

That’s what makes us courageous, and that’s the underlying message of the movie, Courageous. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure and watch the movie trailer here.

What Needs Changing?

What needs changing in your life? Attitudes? Values? Lifestyle? Habits? Whatever it is, God can and will give you the courage to change. I love these biblical promises:

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT).

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7, CEV).

I’m not sure how many of my readers are dads, but I once wrote this poem for fathers. However, the underlying principles could apply to all of us:

Courageous Fathers

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

As courageous fathers,

they faithfully obey

and seek to honor Christ as Lord.

They fervently pray

for walls to break, for men to take

their rightful place again.

Accountable commitment

describes these kind of men.

They pledge their time, their loyalty,

to God and to their family,

uniting hearts together

to maintain integrity.

Coming Changes

Speaking of change, keep checking my website for some future changes I’ll be making. If you notice more updates than usual, remember that I am just trying to make it more user friendly and up-to-date. Also, if you are a subscriber, I’ll be sending out a special newsblast update just for you soon.

What do you think? What changes do you need in your life? Where do you need God’s courage to change? Please share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to re-post on social media, using the buttons below. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Related articles

• How Deep Is God’s Grace? (rebeccabarlowjordan.com)

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I asked the Lord this morning to show me some words that might encourage others, but as I journaled, He first reminded me of those who might need those words of encouragment the most, the ones still walking in their own “wilderness”:

Are you one of these?

• The one whose heart is broken by another’s cruelty and refusal to stay in the marriage.
• The one who is searching for something–or someone–to ease the pain of loneliness.
• The mom who struggles to find the balance between working at home and ministering and caring for her kids.
• The one who cannot work from home and whose heart is paralyzed with fear for the children’s’ protection.
• The father whose job is on the line and who lives with fear of a pink slip.
• The one who just got the pink slip and has a mortage due.
• The parent whose kids have rebelled.
• The one who longs to find purpose and meaning and joy again.
• The one who has temporarily lost his vision and stability because of one careless error.
• The heart that longs for the fullness of God, to be filled with His presence, but can’t hear Him in the noise of their circumstances.
• The one who whose world has turned strangely dark, with no hope of change.
• The one who cannot escape from the nightmares of injustice, violation, or chronic physical pain.
• The one who has just received the doctor’s news: terminal.
• The one who has agonized in prayer but sees no change.
• The one who is imprisoned in an endless cycle of destructive habits.
• The one whose resume reads “success,” but whose heart cries “exhausted.”
• The one who has just said goodbye to someone they love.

You may find yourself in one of those categories, or in none of them. Maybe you know someone who’s struggling in the wilderness right now. I’m not sure who needs these words, but I’m guessing all of us have experienced a “wilderness” at one time or another in our lives. Maybe you’re still there. So, whoever you are, these words today are for you. 

These Words of Encouragement Are For You

Here are the verses God  impressed me to share with you as I was reading from Isaiah 35:1-3, 10.

• “Strengthen those who have tired hands.”
• “Encourage those who have weak knees.”
• “Say to those who are afraid, ‘Be stong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’”
• “Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness.”

Isaiah lived in disturbing times, when God’s people imprisoned themselves in their own deserved judgment, following endless cycles of disobedience. Yet God promised hope and those words of encouragement to balance their impending judgment: a light, as it were, at the end of the tunnel.

I’m sure Joshua needed those words as well, even though he had just emerged from a literal wilderness with Moses for 40 years. But he was moving into unconquered territory now. He, too, needed encouragement, just to believe God’s promises to him and to God’s people. What God told him was not an option, but a command:

“I command you–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT).

God further promises that hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5:4; Isaiah 49:23, NIV). Wherever you are, whatever “wilderness” you’re in right now, cling to those words. Cling to Jesus. Earthly hope will let us down. But true hope, wrapped up in a personal relationship and belief in Christ will never disappoint. That kind of hope is rooted not in circumstances, but in Christ alone.

A Prayer for You

Lord Jesus, please hear the cries of those still “wandering” in the wilderness of difficult circumstances. Comfort weary, fearful hearts, and come alongside those who desperately need your companionship, counsel, and intervention. You have promised your presence, and I ask you to make Your presence real in every reader’s heart today. Give them hope and light wherever they are. You are the only one who can truly help. Encourage them today, as only You can. Help them to run to your arms of love. Let them know, that in you, all things are possible. Thank You Jesus! Amen.

____________________

Just a reminder if you would like to be entered in a random book giveaway of Carol Kent’s book, Between a Rock and a Grace Place, check out last week’s blog and leave an appropriate comment there. I’ll be giving that book away next week.

What about you? Are you in a wilderness time in your life right now? How did God bring you out of one? I’d love to hear from you! Leave your comments below. Your words may encourage someone else! And feel free to send this blog on to others by using the buttons below.

Related Posts:

When God Wants to Be Your Comforter

Five Questions to Ask When You’re in God’s Waiting Room

Is Bad Ever Good?

I wrote this tribute several years ago with my dad in mind. I thought you might enjoy it at this special time. Happy Father’s Day!

A Tribute to Dad

By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

He’s a giant of a man, with big, strong hands

that hold your heart in his own.

The words he speaks are apples of gold–

that can melt a heart of stone.

His laugh is contagious–His smile sincere;

His life is a book read far and near.

His love gives generous helpings to all;

For a father, you see, is always on call.

His thoughts are old-fashioned, and sometimes his clothes;

But godliness clothes him–from his head to his toes.

He has numerous flaws, which he often speaks of,

but his family is blind and covers in love.

Long after he’s gone, a sweet legacy stays

filling the hearts of his family with praise.

Memories of a Father

My father died 15 years ago. I still miss him. But his words and his lessons still live on in my heart. Each of the few personal letters he wrote ended with a P.S. – a powerful statement. Sometimes he penned an encouraging truth from Scripture, sometimes a homespun bit of wisdom he learned, sandwiched in between the mortar he used building missions, and the lives he salvaged for Christ along the way. I treasure those bits and pieces of a father’s love and keep them close where I can pull them out in times of discouragement or frustration.  God blessed me with a great dad.

God Is the Perfect Father

Some of you can’t recall positive father figures, because of abuse or loss of your dad early in your life. Regardless of your circumstances, God assures us He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5, NIV). He not only heals our memories; He is the perfect father who never breaks His promise, who loves us unconditionally, and who delights in spending time with His children.

Share a Memory

What about you? Share a memory about your dad. What made him special? How has God been a father to you?

NOTE: The winner of the drawing for the three-book series: Day-votions for Women, Day-votions for Mothers, and Day-votions for Grandmothers is Patti McGoey. Congratulations, Patti!