Fathers Of Faith
Proverbs 4: 1
"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding."
Billy Graham has said, "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed,
and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."
We honor motherhood, and we should.
But we often forget father.
The present economic system has somewhat deemphasized the importance of Dad.
Among the very poor, various governmental social agencies have become the provider and in many
of the affluent families a portion of the income is a result of the wife's earnings.
From a Biblical standpoint, man was created for something more than "bringing home the bacon."
God said concerning Abraham,
"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep
the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he had spoken of him."
(Genesis 18: 19)
From a Biblical standpoint the father was to be a provider, a protector, a priest, a guide, and a teacher,
as well as a disciplinarian.
Potentially, the father is the best possible teacher about God that a child can have.
The father is the human counterpart of God in a manner in which it is impossible for the mother to be.
When Jesus caught his disciples to pray, He said, "After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven." (Matthew 6: 9)
He taught His disciples that they were to think of the eternal God in terms of a wise, devoted, generous, forgiving father.
The child who never has the privilege of knowing a loving father has a serious handicap at the point of obtaining
a proper understanding of the nature and character of God.
Dr. R. G. Lee tells the story of a father whose little son was stricken with diphtheria.
He was placed in isolation in the hospital.
It was necessary for the parents to wear a mask while visiting their little son.
The boy asked, "Why are you dressed that way?"
The father replied, "I want to protect others because you are very sick."
After some hesitation, the little fellow asked, "Daddy, am I going to die?"
The father who had taught his boy never to tell a lie said, "That is what the doctor says."
After a great deal of inward agony, the father put a question to his little boy:
"Son, you are not afraid, are you?"
From the sick bed the little boy replied, "Daddy, if God is like you are, I won't be afraid."
The home is the most basic institution in our society.
The responsibility for the spiritual stability and success for such is too great for the mother to bear alone.
On this Father's Day it would be well for all of us to recognize that the help of the father is absolutely essential
if the home is to be fully Christian.
"But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel." (1 Tim. 5: 8)
If we would provide our children with a godly father there are certain essentials that must be considered.
Make certain that you give your heart and soul to Jesus!