God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
I’ve heard it said that a person’s perception of God is based on the example their father set for them. I don’t know if that’s 100 percent true, but I do know that for me, the example my father modeled made it easier to believe in the faithfulness of God.
My Dad was an impeccable model of faithfulness for me. And I don’t mean just his faithfulness to Mom, though that is huge.
If he said he would be there, he was.
If he said he would do something, he did it.
Trusting him was never a problem for me.
My childhood understanding of my heavenly Father grew out of my impression of my earthly father.
Faithfulness does not turn one way and then the other.
Faithfulness is not indecisive. It is not wishy-washy.
Faithfulness follows through on promises, no matter what.
As I look ahead to 2018, I can put any unease, apprehension, or anxiety aside, because God is faithful.
He does not turn one way and then the other.
He is not indecisive or wishy-washy.
He follows through on promises, no matter what.
Here are just a few of His promises:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
And I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them,
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone. (Isaiah 42:16)
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)
Yesterday, today, tomorrow, God is faithful.
Always.
2018 will not be too much for Him. And if it becomes too much for me, I know I can count on the bedrock of His faithfulness.
Thanks, Dad.
Joy, that is a beautiful tribute to your father – that he showed the characteristics of God. He sounds like a wonderful man.
My sister and I once talked about how our father affected our view of God. She knew that God was NOT like our father, so had no trouble being loved by God. I, on the other hand, had trouble trusting God. However, God reveals Himself to us, so today we both worship God have forgiven our father for his failures. Yes, our father affected our lives, but our Father affects our lives in an even greater way.
Marnie, thank you for sharing yours and your sisters experiences. It is so true that a father affects a child’s view of God. But I hadn’t thought of it from your sister’s perspective before. I’m so glad you both have come to a place of trust in your heavenly Father.