The Truth for this month is one of my favorites. This verse always catches my attention with the use of TWO exclamation points in one verse. Exclamation points have great purpose in the Bible. I am confident that this verse is extra special and the Lord wants to let us know something very important. The Truth is that our Father loves us so much that through the gift of His son Jesus, and our belief in Him, we become His children. This is great news! This verse says it twice to make sure we get it.
Anchor Truth: Jesus Shows Us The Father
1 John 3:1
I often think about my own father and am thankful for his great love and care for me, both while I was growing up and into my adult years. I realize some people do not grow up with such a positive image. My father always wanted the best for me and would go out of his way to help and encourage me.
My dad (age 93) and me
A good earthly father is just a taste of our heavenly Father. My father loved me and provided for me. Some of my favorite father memories are when I was a little girl and he would carry me by piggyback upstairs to bed. His den door was always open when I needed help with my challenging math story problems. He would come, seemingly at my beck and call, to fix a flat tire or a broken-down car. While I was in college, he would help type my papers and work on art projects with me. My dad was available and caring, and that was definitely the way he showed his love for me. His qualities have given me just a glimpse of how God our Father cares for me.
The Lord is our Father. He loves us more than we can imagine and desires a special relationship with you and me, His treasured children. This was a new concept for the people of Israel in Jesus’ time. Up until Jesus came, they knew God as their Creator, their Deliverer, their King, and their Judge, but…Father? Daddy? (Abba, as Jesus called Him, means “Daddy” in Hebrew.)
This concept was new to them. And, it was one of the most important things Jesus came to teach us: He came to show us what our heavenly Father was really like. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father,” Jesus said (John 14:9).
The definition of FATHER from the dictionary is: “a man in relation to his natural child or children; one who cares for another.” Good fathers are faithful, they take action, are teachers, bring hope, provide example, and are reliable. Good fathers are able to discern and develop their children’s hearts, souls, and minds.
Some earthly fathers have not provided a positive experience and make it hard to understand this character trait of the Lord. Our heavenly Father is the ultimate One; He gives us life both physically and spiritually—abundant life here on earth and life eternal. He is the perfect example of a loving, caring Father. He provides and cares for us; He helps us and carries us through this life.
Our heavenly Father is the ultimate One; He gives us life both physically and spiritually —abundant life here on earth and life eternal.
My husband Ron and I have experienced amazing confirmation of the Lord’s care and provision for us many times over. Last spring, a sparrow flew into the dining room of our home. The little bird was stunned and shaking in the corner of the room. Ron cupped the little sparrow in his hand and fed it some sugar water in a spoon. The little bird lapped up the water. It was a touching and poignant image of such frailty, held in a strong, caring hand. My husband set the little sparrow on the picnic table outside and encouraged it to fly. The bird didn’t fly; instead it jumped back into the palm of his hand. Ron set it back on the table to go, but once again the bird jumped into his hand—not once but three times!
I commented, “I think this is a message to us.” We have had a very hard time since our daughter passed away and have sometimes been discouraged and wondered if the Lord really cares. This little sparrow reminded me of the verses in Luke 12:6-7, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Sparrows were worth less than half a penny yet He chose the smallest most insignificant bird to make a point. Being confident that the Lord knows even the smallest details about me, down to the very hairs on my head, assures me that He knows — and cares about — the intricate details of my life.
I can put my complete trust and confidence in Him. These verses assure me of how much the Lord cares and will provide — He is our ever-loving Father and He won’t forget us.
Our Father knows best. When we spend time with the Lord and come to Him with faith like a child He will pour out His love and care for us. Living anchored to this Truth will help us live strong and confident in this life. Sometimes my circumstances don’t make sense and I don’t understand the “whys” and the waiting. That is when my childlike faith comes into action and I have to trust that God my Father has a bigger plan and knows what is best for me. Just as I did things for my children in their best interest and gave them love and assurance, our Father loves us dearly and wants our complete trust.
