Psalm 103

Take up this very important and essential role that God has given to you.

Last week, most of us celebrated our fathers and their contributions to our families and our lives. Our English congregations will celebrate together today, bringing our appreciation to all the fathers in our midst – natural fathers, as well as spiritual fathers.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (Ps 103:13)

Some of you may know that I personally come from a broken home. My parents divorced when I was about 5 years old, and I have had a rather fraught relationship with my dad since. I have experienced first-hand what it means to be a child of a fatherless household. And while no family is perfect, the father figure in every household carries a special and God-given task of leading, loving and providing refuge for his family. Christian fathers have the additional responsibility to father their children spiritually too. This is a tall order, but one that is filled with much anointing and grace.
Today, I want to say especially to the fathers in our midst who may feel like it’s too late to step into the role of spiritual father of your household. Perhaps your children came to faith in Jesus before you did, or perhaps you have made some missteps in your parenting journey so far. Whatever the reason may be, I want to encourage you to take up this very important and essential role that God has given to you. How, you might ask? By starting small. Here are some simple steps that you can take:

• Pray and intercede for your family daily in your private time – your wife, and each of your children by name
• Share with your family the good things that God has done in your life (as Ps Simon shared in last week’s Pastor’s Heart)
• Serve your family well without lording over them
• Fear the Lord above all else

Psalm 103 tells us
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children –18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
As fatherhood is a gift from God, I pray that you would experience the joy of the Lord as you step into spiritual fatherhood for your family.