Faithful Fathers

MANY MEN proclaim their loyalty and goodness, but who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? (Proverbs 20:6)

People are often called faithful not because of how much faith they possess but how much faith others can place in them.

ESTHER trusted her cousin, Mordecai, because he had been her father since her parents' passing.

So when he took her to the king’s harem, she knew he meant well. (Esther 2 verses 15-17)

FAITHFUL FATHERS guide others in the right direction and help them push the limits.

They urge others to speak when necessary and be quiet when needed.

Mordecai warned Esther not to reveal her race when he took her to the harem, but he prompted her to speak to the king when Haman wanted to eliminate the Jews.

He urged her to push the limits because the King did not see anyone without an appointment.

So, the Jews in Susa, Esther and her maids fasted and prayed, and she found favour with the King. (Esther 5:14)

FAITHFUL FATHERS want the best for their family and the people around them.

Abraham wanted a good life for his nephew, so he took him along when God told him to leave home. (Genesis 13:5)

FAITHFUL FATHERS love peace.

After God prospered Abraham, he became wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold.

His nephew, who moved around with him, also had livestock.

The land could not support their livestock if they stayed together.

So, Abraham told Lot: Please let there be no strife and disagreement between you and me, nor between your herders and my herdsmen, because we are relatives.

Isn't the entire land before you? Please separate yourself from me. (Genesis 13 verses 8-9)

FAITHFUL FATHERS protect their family.

When Abraham heard that Lot had been taken as a prisoner, he led 318 trained men to rescue him.

He risked his life to save him. (Genesis 14 verses 12-16)

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Faithful fathers show consistency between their words and actions.

FAITHFUL FATHERS put God first.

While returning from rescuing Lot, Abraham met the Priest of the Most High. The priest blessed him, and he gave the priest a tenth of the spoil.

Abraham knew that his conquest was possible because God delivered the enemy into his hands. (Genesis 14 verses 17-20)

FAITHFUL FATHERS see the future and prepare for it.

When God told him he planned to destroy Sodom, he interceded for the city.

He wanted God to save his nephew, and God did. (Genesis 18 verses 22-33)

FAITHFUL FATHERS put God on display.

Abraham put God on display when he believed in, (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, and remained steadfast to) the Lord; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right regarding God and man). (Genesis 15:6)

He became a testament to obedience and God’s goodness.

So, it wasn't surprising that he told his servant, Eliezar, not to take his son back to where he came from; Abraham knew there was no going back. (Genesis 24, verses 1-7)

FAITHFUL FATHERS touch the lives of others to the point where they can trust God for themselves.

When Abraham prayed for his servant, he told him that the Angel of God would go before him.

And when Eliezer got to the well outside the city, he prayed.

O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness (faithfulness) to my master Abraham. (Genesis 24:12)

FAITHFUL FATHERS put their hope in God.

When Jacob was old, he called his sons and told them to gather around so he could tell them what would happen to them in the future.

Jacob became prophetic. (Genesis 49:1)

By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. (Hebrews 11:22)

Joseph believed in God so much that he told his sons to carry his bones to the promised land.

FAITHFUL FATHERS pray for their children.

Job prayed for his children and consecrated them to God at all times. (Job 1:5)

He knew his duty as a parent was to pray for his children.

FAITHFUL FATHERS say what is right of God.

God turned Job’s captivity and gave him twice what he had before when he prayed for forgiveness for his friends. (Job 42 verses 1-10)

So, Job wasn't casual with prayer; he was a man of prayer.

FAITHFUL FATHERS are present fathers. They are dependable, loved and trusted.

They show consistency between their words and actions.

We celebrate you today and always. However, we must honour the number one Father, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the good Father. We worship you!

Happy Father’s Day.