Month: January 2015

Our Father Knows, Loves, Cares

“My Father and your Father.” —John 20:17 KJV

By Kevin Quartell

One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is that we can call God our Father. Although the name “Father” was used of God a few times in the Old Testament, it was in the sense of God as the Creator or the One to whom reverence or honor was due (see Malachi 1:6). It was not until the Son of the Father (2 Jn. 3) came into this world that the name of God as Father was fully revealed. The Lord Himself stated that “neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him” (Mt. 11:27). Only the Son could reveal the Father. He did not become an angel to reveal Him to angels, but He became a Man in order to reveal Him to men (Heb. 2:16). For us to be able to know God as our Father required not only His incarnation, but also His death and resurrection because our sins stood in the way of this new relationship. It was only after He was risen from the dead, when His work on the cross was complete and all our sins were put forever away, that the Lord Jesus could give that wonderful message to Mary Magdalene, “Go to My brethren and say unto them, I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God, and your God” (Jn. 20:17). Through His finished work the Lord Jesus has set us in His own place before His God and Father. What a wonderful privilege! We hope that all of our readers know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and so can enjoy this relationship, for He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by Me” (Jn. 14:6). It is only in knowing Him that we can call God our Father. 

Our Father Knows Us 
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows … And your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” —Luke 12:6-7,30

Do you ever feel like you have been forgotten? More than once I have been waiting to see a doctor in his office when I have been forgotten because the receptionist failed to let the doctor know I had arrived. People, even those who are close and love us, may forget about us or our needs. But isn’t it wonderful that our God and Father never forgets about us!

We are told in both Luke 12:7 and in Matthew 10:30 that He has all the hairs of your head numbered. Have you ever tried to count how many hairs you have or how many are on the heads of those you love? Our Father even knows if you have less hair today than yesterday. He is always up-to-date in His knowledge of everything about you and your circumstances! If He takes note in such detail about your hair, we can be sure that there is nothing in your life that escapes His notice or that He forgets about. He knows your financial needs. He knows your health needs. He knows the needs in your marriage and in your family. He knows your spiritual needs and those areas where you may be struggling. He knows the needs you have that you have not even realized yet!

The Lord uses two birds to further describe our Father’s knowledge and care of us. The first is a sparrow. In Luke 12 the Lord tells us that the Father does not forget one sparrow even though they are birds of little value. Similarly in Matthew 10:29 the Lord Jesus said that not one sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s knowing. He knows the circumstances of every sparrow in the world, and cares for all of them. Do you think He would care less for us? Scripture tells us that we are of more value to our Father than many sparrows. 

The second bird mentioned to illustrate to us our Father’s care for us is the raven (Lk. 12:24). The raven does not sow seeds or reap a harvest, yet God provides for its needs. Job 38:41 tells us that the young ravens cry to God for His food, and Psalm 147:9 tells us that God provides for them. Do you think that if God, as the Creator, hears the cries of the young ravens, knows what they need and provides it for them, that as our Father He will not hear our cries as His children? Knowing our needs even better than we do, will He not provide exactly what we need? Of course our faith may be tested at times, but we can be assured that our Father hears and knows. We are of much more value to our Father than the ravens. Since He saved us from eternal judgment, we can trust Him for our day to day needs. The Lord Jesus assures our hearts that “your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Lk. 12:30). We can trust His care and provision. “He that spared not His own Son, how will He not with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).

Our Father Loves Us 
“For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God.” —John 16:27

I am sure that every believer reading this article knows and loves John 3:16. That verse tells us of God’s love which was demonstrated for the whole world (all the people in it) by His giving His only begotten Son so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but receive eternal life. We believe, though, that John 16:27 goes farther than this as the name Father implies a relationship. A man may know many children, but he does not become a father until he and his wife have children themselves. He then enters into this new relationship with them as their father. In a similar way, the name of God as Father implies a relationship. This is why the name of Father could not be used in John 3:16. God does not have a relationship with all the people in the world, but He does have a relationship with those who believe in and love His Son.

The Father had a relationship with His only-begotten Son even before the world began. The Lord Jesus spoke of this in John 17:24: “Thou lovest Me before the foundation of the world.” The Father has always loved the Son, and now, as Father, He also loves those who love His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe that He came forth from the Father. Before the foundation of the world, the only begotten Son knew the Father’s love. Now, all who believe are the children of God (Jn 1:12-13) and sons of God (Gal. 4:5), so we can know the Father’s love too. 

John 17:23 is a verse that tells us something amazing: “Thou [the Father] … hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” We are loved by the Father with the same love as He loves the Lord Jesus! We cannot understand it, but we can rest and rejoice in this wonderful truth!

Our Father Cares For Us 
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” —1 Peter 5:7

Do you have cares or burdens? Are there things that weigh you down in your personal life, in your family, in your work or among the local assembly of Christians with whom you meet? I am sure that we all have heavy hearts sometimes. What are we to do with these burdens? The apostle Peter gave us the answer in the verse above. Notice that he did not tell us to cast “some of our care” upon our God and Father. He did not say, “Only cast your family cares upon Him,” “Only cast your money worries upon Him,” or “Only cast your light cares upon Him.” No, he said, “casting ALL your care upon Him.” Certainly all we have mentioned is included and much more, even anything that causes us a care, whether small or great. Why? Because He, our Father, cares for us.

We have seen that our Father knows our needs. If He doesn’t miss a sparrow’s falling to the ground, certainly He sees that pressing trouble in your life at the present time. We have seen that our Father loves us. He gave His Son for us in order that we might be brought into a relationship with Him as His children. He loves us as His children far more than any earthly father has ever loved his own children. He knows us, loves us and cares for us. 

It is interesting that the Greek word for “casting” literally means “to fling.” Don’t hold onto that care, burden or anxiety – it is too great for you. Fling it into His arms and let Him carry it for you. He is strong enough to carry your troubles and you too!

The Peace Of God 
“Be careful [or anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7

These verses remind us that we can bring our little concerns, our big problems, our sicknesses, our families, our money worries – “every thing” to God in prayer. Then while we wait for His sure answer according to our true need as He knows it (Phil. 4:19), we have the assurance that His peace will keep, or guard (the Greek is a military word, like “garrison”) our hearts. We need not be anxious. 

Remember the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemene brought everything in relation to the work He was going to accomplish on the cross to His Father in prayer. It is solemn to think that just the anticipation of the Cross brought such agony to our blessed Lord (Lk. 22:44). Notice, then, that when the Lord Jesus rose up from prayer He was characterized by perfect peace. His concern was for His disciples. Even when being unjustly accused, the Lord Jesus at just the right moment looked at Peter in order to begin the work of restoration in his soul (Lk. 22:61). None of us will ever have to face what our Lord faced in that solemn hour, but the same peace that He had can be ours. He has said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

When we believed on the Lord Jesus and in His finished work on the cross, we received peace with God. As we bring everything to our Father in prayer we can enjoy our hearts’ being guarded by the peace of God, even if our circumstances have not changed. Then, later in Philippians 4, Paul speaks of the God of peace (v.9). We live in a world of turmoil, where everything is changing so quickly. However, nothing shakes God’s throne. We can enjoy communion with the God of peace, resting with Him in the midst of this restless world, knowing that He is with us. 

Let Us Be Encouraged 
Our Father knows if one little sparrow falls to the ground – how much more His eye is upon us. The Father loves us even as He loves the Lord Jesus. We can bring all our worries, anxieties and cares to our Father and fling them into His arms to carry for us. As we bring everything to Him in prayer, we can enjoy His peace guarding our hearts and minds in this weary world. We can know that He, the God of peace, is with us in our circumstances while we wait to meet the Lord in the air (1 Th. 4:16-17). Then He will bring us to the Father’s house where we will know our Father’s love and care throughout the eternal ages (Jn. 14:2-3; Eph. 2:7)!

Your FATHER Knows

By Paul Palmer, Sr.

As a young boy in Jamaica, I accompanied my father on foot from the Pedro Plains to the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains where we lived. We started the trip just before the sun went down and arrived at our destination just before sunrise. I did not know the way we would take or what to expect along the way. The only thing I knew was that I was with my father and that we were going home. I had complete confidence in the fact that he knew the way and would be there for me during the long dark night. He would protect me, help me, feed me and give me times of rest as we walked and talked together. 

Such is our Father – but in a more blessed and perfect way. As Christians, those who have believed on the Lord Jesus, God is our Father. We delight to call Him “our Father” and we gladly acknowledge that we are His children:

“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name” (Jn. 1:12 NKJV).“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 Jn. 3:1).

Our Father Revealed
It is the Lord Jesus who wants us to know that our Father knows and cares for His own. Among other things, He, the Lord Jesus, came to reveal the Father – to make Him known to us. No other person or angel could do so. It took One who ever was “in the bosom of the Father” (Jn. 1:18) to declare Him.

Seven times between Matthew 5 and 7 we find the words “your Father,” and three times “your heavenly Father.” Is there any doubt that we have a Father? No, none whatsoever! He is a loving Father who will always be there for us.

We have a Father in the heavens above,We have a happy home prepared on high; We have a Savior, whose surpassing loveMade Him content even for our sins to die.
(James G. Deck, 1802-1884)

Our Father’s Knowledge 
Our Father has perfect knowledge. He knows everything. The psalmist says, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me, You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether” (Ps. 139:1-4). He concludes, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it” (Ps. 139:6).

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Rom. 11:33). “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Mt. 6:8).

“Abba, Father,” words of mercy, Words of comfort, words of love, Covering all our needs and longingsTill we reach our home above!
(Miss Catherine Helene von Poseck, 1859-1953)

He knows our needs and is more than able to meet every one. He has promised to do so day by day. Let us trust Him continually. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Phil. 4:19-20).

Our Father Gives 
Our Father not only knows but He gives “good things to those who ask Him” (Mt. 7:11). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17).

From a heart of love He gives to His children that which they need; that which is good for them. His great desire is for fruit to be seen in them and He is daily looking to see more and more of Christ formed in His children. To this end, He may have to give us a pruning at times. Pruning involves the removal of dead or overgrown branches which prevent fruit bearing. Thus, pruning precedes fruitfulness: “You shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit” (Lev. 25:3), and “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (Jn. 15:2).

Is there anything new in my life today for the Father to appreciate? Was there anything yesterday for His pleasure? He only appreciates and finds delight in that which speaks of Christ. 

Our Father Forgives And Feeds 
Our Father knows; He gives and He forgives: “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt. 6:15). Yes, our Father is a forgiving Father – and He loves to see a forgiving spirit in His children.

Our Father also feeds: “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value that they?” (Mt. 6:26). It is wonderful to be at the “Father’s table” and to enjoy fellowship with Him. “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 Jn. 1:3). He has provided food for our souls that we may grow and mature as Christians. He delights to see us feeding on Christ and becoming more like Him as we read the Scriptures, God’s Word.

Our Father Protects 
He cares for the birds; Will He not care for us? Will He not protect us? The Lord Jesus said, “No one is able to snatch [us] out of My Father’s hand” (Jn. 10:29). We are safe and secure, sheltered by our Father’s hand.

Our Father Loves 
He loves us with an everlasting love because we love the Lord Jesus (Jn. 14:21,23). The Father will certainly provide all that we need for the Christian pathway, and at the end of our journey the Father’s house awaits. The Lord Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2).

How blest a home, the Father’s house!There love divine doth rest;What else could satisfy the heartsOf those in Jesus blest?
The Father’s house, the Father’s heart,All that the Son is given,Made ours, the objects of His love,And He, our joy in heaven.
(Mrs. J. A. Trench, 1843-1925) 
God and Father, we adore Thee,Now revealed in Christ the Son,Joying in Thy holy presenceThrough the work that He has done.
Filled with praise we bow before Thee;Thou art evermore the same;With adoring hearts we bless Thee,Magnify Thy holy name.
Worship, honour, praise and glory,Would we render unto Thee;Heights unsearched and depths unfathomedIn Thy wondrous love we see. 
(Edward Henry Chater, 1845-1915)

Does Anyone Care About Me?

By Paul Alberts

A letter from a young man in jail recently crossed my desk: “I sit in here wondering if anybody on the outside really cares about me. I have nothing anymore. I have lost my dad, sister and best friend.”

Another story that I just read was about a traveling preacher who grew up in a Christian home during the late 1800’s, only 60 miles from where Grace & Truth is now located. His name was Charles Weigle.

The Hymn Of The Week website says: “After returning home from an evangelistic crusade, he found a note left from his wife of many years. She told him that she could no longer handle his preaching lifestyle and being gone from home so much, so she had decided to leave him. He became so sad and despondent that he considered suicide many times because he felt that no one really cared. His faith was later restored and he decided to write a hymn about what he learned during this difficult period in his life.” The hymn is well known: “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus.”

1. I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

Chorus:
No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

2. All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

3. Every day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

Spiritually, the first Person’s care that we see is that of the Lord Jesus, who died on the cross in our place. Only by believing can we then enter into a relationship with the Father and forever enjoy His care! The Feature articles this month are about the Father’s care. May they encourage your heart!