Father.  Dad.  Daddy.  Any man that has heard these words from the mouth of a child is blessed.  These three truths remind us of the glory of fatherhood.

Proverbs 17:6  “Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.”

God shares His name with fathers.

God revealed Himself to be our Heavenly Father.  He gives life.  He watches over and cares for His children.  He desires a close and personal relationship with each of them.

Matthew 6:1  “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:4  “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

Matthew 6:6  “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Matthew 6:9  “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

I love being a father.  I never tire of hearing my children call me Dad.  What a privilege that God shares this lofty title with earthly fathers!  Each of us is a daily representation of our Heavenly Father.  Our actions and attitudes shape our children’s views of life and our Lord.  We must take our role seriously striving to bring God glory.  We will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but we can obey the Lord with a happy heart.  Our children don’t need to perfect fathers.  They need sincere fathers who are wholly devoted to their God.

God shares His responsibilities with fathers.

God is our ultimate provider and protector, yet He delegates the day to day care of each family to its father.  God has placed us as the head of the home so we can do what He would do if He were in our place.

We must love our wives as Christ loved the church.  We must rear our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  We must work diligently to put a roof over their heads, food in their mouths, and clothes on their bodies.  We must guide them in the way of righteousness.  We must teach them the Scripture.  We must shape their character.  The life of a Father is one of sacrifice for the good of the family.  This responsibility is not a cross to bear, but a holy duty to accept as a privilege.

God shares His glory with fathers.

Isaiah 42:8  “I am the Lord: that is my name: And my glory will I not give to another, Neither my praise to graven images.”

Isaiah 48:11  “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: For how should my name be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another.”

God is generous. Every good gift comes from Him.  You could spend all day counting your blessings and giving Him praise for all He has given to you.  However, God is stingy with His glory.  If you try to steal His glory, He will judge you harshly.  Pastor Robert Ross used to say, “The most dangerous place to stand is between God and His glory.”  How true!  Yet, God shares His glory with fathers.

[shareable cite=”Robert Ross”]’The most dangerous place to stand is between God and His glory.'[/shareable]

Our gracious God has placed a reverence in each child’s heart for their father.  Children believe that Dad can do anything.  He is the smartest and strongest Dad in the world.  Sons want to grow up to be like Dad.  Daughters want to grow up to marry someone like Dad.  Imagine!  God shares glory with earthly fathers.  We must seize this precious gift and do our best to live up to the high place God has given us in our children’s hearts.

Are you a father?  Pray daily for the strength and wisdom to fulfill your noble role.  Walk in the Spirit each day.

Are you a child?  Reach out to your Dad today letting him know how much you love and respect Him.

May we never forget the glory of fatherhood!