As we approach this Father’s Day, I am thankful that I still have my father who is 87 years old.

Although I live many miles away from him, I talk to him at least twice a week and I visit him at least twice a year, more if needed.

I am grateful that I can help my father do simple things like paying bills online and making good choices for his health.  He still drives well and can hold a good conversation, he just needs a little help in some areas.

As long as I’ve lived, I’ve always wanted to return the blessing to my parents in caring for them when they reach a certain age or time in their lives when they need help.

For now, they have chosen to live on their own but have recently finally agreed to live with me when they are no longer able to.

God has been gracious.

I think back to when I was a little girl and even up to my thirties—I really needed my dad during all those years. From childhood, throughout my school years and post college graduation, to living on my own as an adult, my dad (along with my mother) was my provider, protector, teacher, and personal counselor for every aspect of my life.

My dad was and is a great part of who I am today and I am grateful for his commitment to taking care of me, whether he was right or wrong along the way.

My father was tough, but I knew he loved me and wanted the best for me.

I understand that some people may not have had committed or loving fathers. I know that some have had selfish and perhaps even harmful fathers—and my heart goes out to those who have never experienced the love and selflessness of an earthly father.

Thankfully, we have a wonderful heavenly Father!

He loves, protects, provides for, teaches, guides, and if need be, disciplines us.

He is always available for us and He says in His word that He will never forsake us.

The following scripture verse records Moses encouraging the Israelites to go into the promised land without him. He was telling them that although he would not cross over the Jordan River with them to receive the promised land, God would be with them, and He would direct them and protect them along the way.

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Israel saw God’s miracles, but they depended too much on Moses to lead them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. They were so used to Moses intervening for them that they needed to be reminded that God had always been there as the One making the way for them.

This is true for us as well. At some point as we mature, we should understand that God will provide for us as He always has. Whether we have been blessed with caring earthly fathers or not, we need to understand that it is God who has taken care of us.  

In times of reflection, I have come to realize this very fact. God has always been there since I was conceived in my mother’s womb—even before, preparing everything for my life. And through good times and bad, God has brought me to where I am today, alive and well.

I would like to share King David’s psalm to God, praising Him for creating him and for always being there for him.

 Lord, You have searched me and known me.
² You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far away.
³ You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all.
⁵ You have encircled me behind and in front,
And placed Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot comprehend it.

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take up the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will take hold of me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
¹² Even darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

¹³ For You created my innermost parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth;
¹⁶ Your eyes have seen my formless substance;
And in Your book were written
All the days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

¹⁹ If only You would put the wicked to death, God;
Leave me, you men of bloodshed.
²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate You, Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
²² I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
²⁴ And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 139:1-24

David was the youngest son in his family, and he saw God work in his life as a shepherd boy. It was David who was anointed the be the future king of Israel over his brothers.

In fact, when God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse’s (David’s father) house to anoint one of his sons the future king of Israel, Samuel assumed the eldest brother would be the chosen one. When God said no, Samuel went to the next oldest son, and God kept saying no until it seemed there were no more of Jesse’s sons to anoint. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons and he said he had one more, the youngest who was out in the field tending the sheep.

Why did God skip over David’s eldest brother and all the other brothers to anoint a young shepherd boy?

Because David had a heart for and a relationship with God.

God knew David could be trusted to shepherd Israel as He would ordain, but becoming king would be a long road of difficult times, sorrow, and fighting for his life.  

He went from an unknown shepherd boy to King, all along relying daily upon God for his very existence.

David rightly gave thanks and praise to God.

Let’s approach this Father’s Day giving thanks and praise to our earthly fathers who have been there for us and forgiving those who have not or have been injurious to us.  

And to God, our heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for creating us and being with us every day of our lives.

I hope you enjoy this weekend celebrating with your father or remembering good times for those of you whose fathers have gone to be with the LORD.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in our lives!

I’ve always enjoyed the song below praising God, our heavenly Father. I hope you enjoy it too.

For how to have a relationship with God, please read my post Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.