ANOTHER WIEBE'S QUOTES
What an awesome responsibility is fatherhood. Do our children trust us? Have we proven trustworthy in spite of our failings and stumblings? We can feel inadequate in this, but what a beautiful call to become more loving, more caring, and more trustworthy fathers.
J.W.
Every person is a child of an earthly father. There are different levels of fatherhood. Some of these fathers are fathers only in the strictest sense of the word and may not even be known of their children. A father may love his child, but not enough to sacrifice his own ambitions and desires for the child's well-being. Then there are fathers who are the kind of father that every child needs and deserves. These fathers are willing to sacrifice themselves to provide for their children. They attempt to provide for their child's emotional needs by loving him unconditionally, spending time with him, and lending a listening ear. They do their best to provide for his physical needs by supplying food, clothing, and health care. Time is spent teaching their child the skills he will need for life. Most of all, the needs of the soul are met by teaching the child about God and His will. These fathers want only what is best for their child, and will do all in their power to provide it. Their desire is to never do anything to, or ask anything of, their child that would be unfair or detrimental to his well-being.
Even good fathers will make mistakes, but their children learn to trust and love them. These children are not overly concerned about their next meal. They are not afraid of their surroundings as long as their hand is in their father's hand. They believe what they are told because their father has been proven trustworthy. They can take their burdens and stresses to him and find relief because they know their father will help, and they can expect everything to turn out all right.
There is one Father whose love, truth, fairness, strength, resources, wisdom, beauty, security, and providential care incomparably outshines that of all others. This father is the King we are studying about. He is God, the great I AM (Exod. 3:14). This Father knows how to care for His children perfectly because He created them. He is the creator also of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), and of every beautiful thing in life, both natural and spiritual. It is His will to bless His children. He wants each of His children to be happy, and what He asks of them and sends their way is only for their good and the good of their fellowmen.
Some of His children, however, have not learned to trust Him but feel compelled to obey Him. They feel—perhaps subconsciously—that they would be happier taking their own way. Like the prodigal son, they feel there is a bigger, more exciting world away from the Father. This shows they do not really understand their Father. God gives to His children all they need to be truly happy. The closer they follow Him the more fulfilled they will be in life. He made them to live in harmony with Him, and living outside of His will brings stresses to their bodies and minds.
Those who trust Him and stay close to Him find in Him rest, happiness, and freedom. "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21). He has promised rest (Matt. 11:28), He has promised peace (Ps. 29:11), and He has promised to provide our daily needs (Matt. 6:33). Best of all, He promises eternal life to His children (John
10:28).
The children of the King need never feel that they are part of a losing or unworthy cause. Their King rules the universe, and every knee will bow before Him. No matter what the common opinion of mankind may be, and no matter how important or majestic things of the worldly kingdom appear, this King is in control. His children are on the winning side. When they do His bidding they are answering the highest calling in life.
Are you a child of the King? If so, give yourself fully to Him. He desires you. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jer. 31:3). You are the apple of His eye. "For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye" (Zech. 2:8). He desires your beauty. Allow Him to purify your life. If you are not His child, His invitation is to you. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor.
6:17-18).
Children of the King
Lesson 2, March 11, 2012
Adult and Youth Sunday School Lessons
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