“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.”
-Proverbs 14:26
Father’s day may simply be a response to mother’s day, but for us this morning we are going to look at the God ordained blessing of a God fearing father.
This verse makes clear that a God-fearing father provides refuge for his children. Where there are good fathers, there are children who are safe and secure in the fortress of their father’s care. Here are some ways a God-fearing father provides a fortress to His children.
- Stability…. A God-fearing father shows his confidence in the Lord by obeying the law of God. What a Godly man expects out of others He first displays in himself. If you want your words to matter, if you want your guidance to be cherished you must be someone your children can imitate not just someone they hear. Be a man of practice not just a man who talks. Sometimes it’s necessary to go out of your way to show your children what obedience looks like even if it takes effort.
- Godly fathers provide. Fathers provide for their children’s needs. This is about both physical needs and spiritual needs. Ephesians 6:4 teaches us that it is the father who holds the responsibility to provide discipline and instruction, and 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Godly fathers take responsibility and model Godly provision. This task is given to you. You are commanded to be the most generous person in your home.
- In the world that you are building for your children design it so they can practice courage, dedication, discipline and joy. Fathers, lead your children with joy. If your child remembers you and doesn’t remember your joy then you have shown a child how to be a miserable Chistian and there should be no such thing. One of the best signs of a healthy home is a home that plays and laughs a lot. Godly fathers, lead the way.
- The fourth and final thing, God fearing fathers point their children to Jesus. Your children don’t need a perfect father, their heavenly father is perfect. They need a dad that shows them to trust in Christ. To ask for forgiveness where he has sinned against them and to get down on his knees and repent. Fathers, you will be one of the greatest examples of repentance to your children. Your children need a man controlled by the grace of God. Be a man anchored to the gospel. In your relationships model reconciliation and teach that to your children. Let your hardships be their blessings. Love their momma more than them. Give her priority.
Church, being a dad is a blessing no one deserves. It is a task mixed with failure, but as Christians and God fearing fathers, we have the tools to do it by faith.
Fathers, lead them by your stability, provision, joy and even in your failure lead them to the grace of God found in the gospel.