See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1 ESV

Our God is a Good Father | with 25 Encouraging Scriptures …

There are many in this world who may not be celebrating Father’s Day this year because they have a broken or non-existent relationship with their earthly fathers.  I pray you will begin to see we indeed have a beautiful and loving Heavenly Father to celebrate!

What was your earthly father like?

Do you have wonderful memories of time spent with your father, talking or engaging in a treasured activity? He made you feel seen, heard, loved, wanted and adored? You felt comfortable running to him when you needed advice because you trusted he had your best interest at heart? He loved hearing the sound of your voice as much as you did his, and he encouraged you to pursue your God given dreams?

Maybe your sweet father has passed away. When you catch a scent that reminds you of his cologne, your eyes fill with tears and your heart aches to see him just one more time.

Or perhaps your father hurt you? Even the mere thought of him forms a knot in your stomach and an incredible sense of dread.

Did you feel worthless, unseen or unwanted around him? Did he shut your voice down, insisting that only his thoughts and opinions mattered when it came to you and your life? Perhaps, he has disowned you?

The word “father” conjures up a variety of images for different people. For some, a “father” is associated with love, laughter and warm memories. For others, the word invokes feelings of pain and rejection.

But either way, no matter how great or how awful our relationships were with our earthly dads, it’s very important to understand that we can never compare almighty God with any earthly father. Our human fathers will inevitably fall short simply because their human.

Our God is a Good Father …

The biblical image of God as both our sovereign King and Father is no accident. God is able to effortlessly fulfill both roles. First, as the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God who sustains everything in this massive universe. But also as the loving, adoring Father who always has time to draw close and listen to each of His beloved children at any given moment.

The Bible refers to God as our Heavenly Father so many times …

Even though this title is used quite often in teaching and in prayer, Christians who struggle(d) with unresolved or unhealed “Daddy Hurts” can have immense trouble perceiving God as the good Father that He is.

This was me at one time before God completely healed me. I had absolutely no clue what unconditional love was supposed to look or feel like. I was taught love and acceptance needed to be earned and I failed to measure up. 

Because of this, I spent years believing I was completely unacceptable to God as well.

For years, I sought comfort in Jesus, who was always incredibly kind and compassionate with me. But I was a little concerned about how my Heavenly Father saw me.

You may have felt the same way as well?

But do you know what I discovered?

Jesus says if we have seen Him, then we have seen the Father.

In John 14:9-10 Jesus asks His Disciple: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” (NIV)  

So when we experience Jesus’ love, compassion and tenderness, we are actually experiencing the Father’s love for us through Him.  

How about you?

Do you feel comfortable approaching Jesus but not the Father?

God is identified as our Father more than 250 times in scripture. Most of these verses are found in the New Testament because in and through Christ, we have a new identity as the adopted children of God (Romans 8:15).

In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), we see the heart of our Heavenly Father as He searches the horizon and comes running when He sees His child returning to Him.

We can never outrun God so we might as well give up and let Him catch us. God will never give up pursuing your heart, my friend. That’s His mercy. That’s how much He loves you.

The two truths that will have the most transformative power in your life are: God is your good Father and you are His beloved Child.

Let’s pause and soak in the Father’s love today, shall we?

Please click on the links below to read full verse(s) …

• “There is one God, the Father, from Whom are all things” 1 Cor 8:6
• “Do you not believe that I Am in the Father and the Father is in me?” Jn 14:10 
• “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” Eph 4:4-6
• “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay” Isa 64:8
• “My God will meet all your needs” Phil 4:19
• “Pray to your Father who is in secret” Matt 6:6    
• “I and the Father are one” Jn 10:28-30
• “Whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” Jn 15:16
• “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ” Eph 1:3-5
• “You are members of God’s family” Eph 2:18-19
• “For this reason I kneel before the Father” Eph 3:14-16
• ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours” Lk 15:31
• “Whatever is good is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” Jn 1:17
• “I will be your Father and you will be My sons and daughters …” 2 Cor 6:18
• “To all who did receive him, He gave the right to become children of God” Jn 1:12
• “You have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Rom 8:14-15
• “Fear not for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Lk 12:32
• “The birds neither sow nor reap and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” Matt 6:26-30
• “As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion” Ps 103:12-14
• “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” 2 Cor 1:3-4
• “You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” Ps 32:7-8
• “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” Matt 6:9-13
• “How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things” Matt 7:11
• “See what kind of love was given that we should be called children of God” 1 Jn 3:1
• “Do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and He is in heaven” Matt 23:9

Hugs and Prayers,

Our God is a Good Father | with 25 Encouraging Scriptures @ freshgracefortoday.com

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