Tag: feature

By Richard Barnett

It is natural in this vast universe to wonder “How God could really care about me?” David echoed similar sentiments when he pondered: “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained: What is man that Thou art mindful of him? (Ps. 8:3-4 KJV). He certainly felt overwhelmed by it all, and so do we at times. But consider these illustrations:

The mother who feeds her new-born baby every few hours and who stays up all night because her baby is sick does it because she cares for her helpless child.The farmer who plows his land, plants his seeds, waters them and roots up the weeds that rob them of the vital nourishment they need does it because he cares about his seeds.The painter who paints a portrait is not satisfied until he has applied the last stroke of his brush. He does it because he cares about his portrait.

Considering these examples, is it unreasonable to assert that God does indeed care for you and me?

We have a God that created us and has redeemed us by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. Why then do we worry so much? There is a poem that goes like this:

Said the Robin to the Sparrow, “I should really like to know,Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.”Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “Friend I think that it must be,That they have no heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.”

The moral of this story is that we do have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for us far more than He cares for birds – for we are of more value than they. We are children of God by new birth according to John 1:12, which says, “But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power [authority] to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

Loving Care Of Our God 
Prior to returning to His Father, Jesus strengthened the confidence of His disciples (and us) by stating that the Father loved them in the same way He is loved. Hence, in His prayer recorded in John 17 He placed them (and us) in the care of His Father. We are the Father’s love gift to the Son; and the Son, before returning to heaven, placed us in the care of His Father. We belong to the family of God and are therefore distinct from the world. To quote from a letter written to the family: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God” (1 Jn. 3:1).

God, therefore, does not treat us in the same way He does the world. This world is under judgment, though God in His grace is willing to save anyone who comes to Him by faith in Jesus Christ. The foregoing is of extreme importance for it is in bringing us into relationship with Him that the constant, loving care of our God and Father is assured. This amazing fact is a wonderful source of comfort, especially if you have ever been tempted to question His care. The disciples were guilty of this when they asked during a storm-tossed boat trip with Jesus, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” (Mk. 4:38). With great power and majesty He stilled the storm! The power of God is boundless and that power is at work on our behalf by His Holy Spirit that dwells in us, in order to give us victory over sin and to conform us more and more to the image of His Son. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength” (Isa. 40:29). We are weak, but He is strong, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Furthermore, by the power of the Spirit, Christ was raised; and by that same Spirit our mortal bodies shall be quickened (made alive) (Rom. 8:11). After stilling the storm, the Lord rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith.

Chastening is a part of His loving care for us too: “For whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). Martha on one occasion complained, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?” (Lk. 10:40). The tender heart of our God is grieved when we question His care.

Knowledge Of Our God 
Let us now consider the knowledge of our God, which is infinite and perfect and forms an integral part of His care for us. There is absolutely nothing that He does not know about you and me. The following Scriptures express His limitless knowledge:

• “The Lord knoweth them that are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). In the midst of the confusion of Christendom, which is comprised of all who have made a profession of faith in Christ, the Father knows His children. It is impossible for Him to overlook or to be mistaken about even one of them.
• “But He knows the way that I take: when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). The way may be rough and rocky and filled with sorrow. But just as He did for Job, God intends to turn your troubles into a refinery in which you will be purified and come forth as gold. Gold is refined by applying intense heat. As the impurities from the molten gold rise to the surface the refiner skims them off. When he sees himself reflected in the gold, he turns off the heat.
• “Thou knowest my downsitting, and my uprising” (Ps. 139:2). What precise and attentive care – He takes notice of when we sit down and when we rise up! Mr. Darby put it well when he penned: “A holy Father’s constant care, keeps watch with an unwearying eye …” 
• “Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Lk. 12:30). Jesus taught His disciples that when it came to their temporal needs such as food and clothing, they were not to be filled with anxiety. “Consider the ravens,” He said, for they do not sow seed, nor reap a harvest, and yet God feeds them. You are far more valuable than the birds of the air. Do you think that by worrying you can add eighteen inches to your height? Jesus continued, “Consider the lilies how they grow.” They do not labor or twist cotton into thread to make their clothing, and yet not even king Solomon in all his glory was dressed like them. If God so clothes the lilies – “how much more will He clothe you!” (v.28).
• “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11). God’s purpose for us is ultimately to make all things work for our blessing, both now and for eternity. Just think of it, our past has been wiped clean by the blood of Christ, our present is working for our good and our future is bright with the hope of eternal glory.
• “For He knoweth our frame; and remembereth that we are but dust” (Ps. 103:14). We are clothed with infirmities such as sickness, persecution, weariness, sorrow and weakness – all of which are very trying to our faith; and for which mercy and grace are needed. Having a great high priest who is none other than Jesus, the Son of God, we are invited to “come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
• “For I know their sorrows” (Ex. 3:7). I do not know what grief you may be experiencing at the present time. You may have been misunderstood and excluded from the company of some, a dear friend maybe betrayed you, or you may have lost someone very dear to you and now you feel alone in this world. Perhaps someone has said evil, false things about you. All of these are a source of pain and distress. But God knows all about them and He is not unmindful of your sorrow. The apostle Peter, who wrote about suffering, encouraged us with these words: “Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). We would never know the comfort of our Father unless we were permitted to taste of the sorrow, for “blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt. 5:4). God is “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

Our Response To God’s Care

• Be trustful. One has said, “Worry is interest paid on trouble before it becomes due.” From my own experience most of the things that I have worried about never came to pass. A care-free attitude on the other hand is most pleasing to God, for it is the evidence of one who trusts Him in spite of everything that is going on – whether on the inside or outside.
• Be thankful. Let us, therefore, train our hearts to “praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Ps. 107:8); and to say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps. 103:2). 
• Be prayerful. “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything 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” (Phil. 4:6-7).

May these few words encourage you to look up into the face of our God and Father, and say: “Father, regardless of my situation, I know that You love me and therefore I will trust You.” Finally, may you be kept peaceful, in the peace of God and in His loving, tender care.

By Stephen Campbell

“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?” (Lk. 11:11 NKJV). So spoke the Lord Jesus as He told His disciples what God the Father is like. If even an imperfect father on earth knows how to give what is good to his children, will not their heavenly Father give precisely what is needed?

We might have been hesitant to call God our Father if the Scriptures had not done so. It is a protective, nurturing, intimate relationship. Naturally speaking, it is a relationship that all sons and daughters seek in their own families. Of course, in families there are sometimes difficulties which interrupt that relationship, whether through divorce, death or simply the failings of our earthly fathers. Yet God is not subject to those failings; and as we appreciate our relationship with Him as our Father we will find a sure foundation for our lives – not only spiritually, but physically and emotionally as well.

There are a few occasions in the Old Testament when God is called Father, especially in a national sense towards Israel. Moses asked the people, “Is He not your Father, who bought you?” (Dt. 32:6). “You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name,” Isaiah affirmed (Isa. 63:16; see Isaiah 64:8 and Malachi 2:10). However, it is really in the New Testament that God reveals the fullness of this relationship. We need the Lord Jesus Himself to open this relationship up to us because only He truly knows what it means to think of God as Father (Lk. 10:22). On the day of His resurrection, having dealt with our sins at Calvary, Jesus invited His own to remember that God is their Father (Jn. 20:17).

In this context it may be good to mention that there is a limited sense in which God is the Father of all humanity. In Athens, Paul used this truth to indicate the folly of worshiping idols. God made every human being “from one blood” and “in Him we live and move and have our being.” Therefore, Paul concluded, “we are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:26,28-29) – so it is not sensible to venerate [consider as holy] stone or metal objects we have designed ourselves. This reference to God as our Father in a general sense is an appeal to those with no knowledge of Him; but it does not imply that all mankind are now His children in a spiritual sense.

Family Privileges 
However, for believers in the Lord Jesus, the relationship with God as our Father is a marvelous blessing. There are several privileges connected with this relationship. One is that we come to know the Father’s care. The Lord spoke emphatically of this, reminding His followers that God took care of the ravens and the lilies – and did He not value the disciples even more? Therefore, He added, “do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink … [Your] Father knows that you need these things” (Lk. 12:29-30; also see Matthew 6:25-33). 

By contrast, the nations of the world seek after these same things (Lk. 12:30); and here the word translated “seek after” has an added intensity. In our lives this means that we are surrounded by people who are fixated [preoccupied] on meeting their own needs. Thus, we may find it easy to develop the same obsession ourselves. For the believer, though, such anxiety is unfounded because our Father knows what we need! Not only that, but we can be sure His power is great enough to provide it. From Abraham to Paul, the Old and New Testaments overflow with examples of God’s ability to meet our physical needs. 

As we appreciate the Father’s care we also learn to know His love. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” declared the apostle John (1 Jn. 3:1; see also John 16:27). Because of God’s saving love, He provided redemption for our sins through Christ. But more than that, because of His character as our Father, He desires not only to save us but also to make us His own children. On earth the sense of our father’s love may be lacking, and in extreme cases there may be abandonment or even hatred. But the Father’s love is unchanging.

One important result of enjoying the Father’s love is that it will preserve us from the love of the world. In the Scriptures the world is described as being specifically opposed to the Father. “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15-16). The world presents itself as a place that can satisfy our every desire: “Why wait for God if we can find pleasure without Him?” This is what happened to Demas, who “loved this present world” and ceased his service for the Lord (2 Tim. 4:10; compare with Philemon 24). By contrast, the assurance that our Father loves and cares for us will help us overcome the world’s attractions because we know we can trust Him rather than seek elsewhere for our needs.

If we forget our Father’s care and love we are not forsaken, for He employs still another aspect of our relationship: His correction. It is a poor father who neglects to consistently guide his children, as even the Lord’s people have discovered to their sorrow (consider David in 1 Kings 1:5-6). Children gain understanding and maturity from the correction of their fathers, imperfect as they may be; and therefore the Scriptures conclude, “Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Heb. 12:9). Discipline may not be pleasant, but it produces righteousness when we have learned from it, just as Paul learned to trust God’s grace after receiving a difficult “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7-9). Moreover, the Father’s discipline is a proof that we are indeed part of His family, reminding us again of our privilege to have a relationship with Him.

Further Lessons 
These three aspects of the Father’s relationship – His care, His love and His correction – suggest some additional lessons for us as well. When we remember that our Father knows our circumstances we can learn to depend on Him. Since He is aware of our needs and understands our weaknesses, He will surely provide what we require in a timely way.

We can also learn to be content. Because He is the Father of lights, who never turns aside or acts inconsistently with His character, He provides every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:13-17). This means that anything He has not provided would not be good for us at the moment. Reminding ourselves that our Father knows, we can be thankful for precisely what He has given, whether little or much.

Further, we can learn to have the right perspective even in very difficult circumstances. For example, many of the Lord’s people around the world live in great poverty. When we are forced to do without the comforts of this world we can be tempted to meet our needs in illegal ways (Pr. 30:9) or accuse God of dealing harshly with us (Ruth 1:20-21). We might even feel that our disadvantages will prevent us from serving the Lord. But remembering that our Father knows our need will keep us on a straight path, for He has been a faithful provider for generations (Ps. 37:25). God showed Hagar a spring of water for her dying son; He multiplied flour and oil for desperate widows and He does not stop showing His kindness to those in need today (Gen. 21:15-20; 1 Ki. 17:11-16; 2 Ki. 4:1-7; Ruth 2:20). We tend to focus on what we don’t have (even if we are relatively well off), but God focuses on what we do have (2 Cor. 8:12). “What is in your hand?” asks the LORD (Ex. 4:2). That is what He will use.*

Among all the aspects of our relationship with God as our Father, one name has special meaning: the name Abba. It is an Aramaic word for father that implies a great deal of familiarity. Some have suggested it is like the English word “Papa.” On two occasions (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6) Paul wrote that God’s Spirit in us allows us to enjoy exactly this relationship with God as we call to Him, “Abba, Father!” There is only one occasion when the Lord Himself used this term: in the garden of Gethsemane, in His deep agony as He anticipated the suffering of the Cross (Mk. 14:36). This helps us appreciate the deep intimacy of this name, which is precisely the reality of our relationship with God as our Father. In our darkest moments, in our deepest difficulties, we can turn to Him because He knows and He cares.

ENDNOTE 
* This line of teaching encourages the poor, but it does not negate the related responsibility of those who have this world’s goods to share them with their brethren in need (1 Jn. 3:17).

“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)!