A Father’s Help

“Because of their faith in Him, their daily portion will be a Father’s help and deliverance from evil. This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in Him” (Psalm 37:40)!

For those of us who have faith in God the Unshakable, we are promised a “Father’s help.” And this special treatment is not a one-time offer, a use-it-or-lose-it deal, but rather an ongoing pledge, a daily portion, renewed at dawn each day! Whether you are ready or not, compassion and provision stream from Heaven to wake you from your sleep each morning—and trying to contain this amazing love is akin to a teacup trying to contain the mighty Niagara Falls, as author Brennan Manning would put it.

We can’t outrun it. The help of the Father is our daily portion.

“Father” was Jesus’ favorite way of referring to God, and the entire New Testament explores what it looks like to be adopted into His family as little children. Paul refers to God explicitly as “Father” at least 40 times. Surely, it is indispensable for us to understand God as not only a mighty King and a creative Architect, but as a Father.

I would suggest that the reality of God’s fatherhood over us is more important than you might think, and here’s part of the reason why I’m led to believe that: the enemy is doing all he can to exterminate godly fatherhood in a healthy family unit—our example of the heavenly Father. However, even the most loyal and beloved father is a mere shade of Father God’s perfection. Isn’t that incredible?

Well, perhaps when Scripture notes that ours is a daily portion of the Father’s help, it means this.

1. Our Father is not absent. He is engaged!

God is not unavailable or emotionally distant. Your feelings may hint that God is disinterested in your longings and your situation, but to be honest, the feelings of human beings are renowned for telling lies. It doesn’t matter what you feel about this; the truth is that God is closely connected to you.

In Psalm 16:8, David commented, “Because You are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience Your wrap-around presence every moment!”

Elsewhere, the psalms declare, “You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book, and You know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence” (Psalm 139:3-4)!

He is so invested in all our goings-on and our surprises and our triumphs and our misfortunes and our hopes, that He invites us to lean on Him as Abba, according to Romans 8:15. This special name is a term of endearment for a father, leading many scholars to conclude that it is best translated as “Daddy” or “Papa.” I challenge you, why not begin your next prayer by affectionately calling Him “Papa God”?

2. Our Father is not withholding. He is generous!

God does not dangle a glass of water in front of a thirsty desert traveler, only to slap his hand away when he reaches for it. He is not the type to see the need of His child and shrug it off. God is not like the sort of mean-spirited human who teases, mocks, and humiliates His beloved. He doesn’t ignore your voice or berate you for your tears.

Regardless of the experience you may have had with your earthly father, Abba God is enthusiastic about lavishing on His children preferential treatment, special blessing, and customized favor! It is simply His good-natured personality to do so!

Psalm 84:11 reveals a poetic reality: “Wrapping Himself around me like a shield, He is so generous with His gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along His paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for He provides it all.”

And look at Luke 12:24: “Take the carefree birds as your example. Do you ever see them worry? They don’t grow their own food or put it in a storehouse for later. Yet God takes care of every one of them, feeding each of them from His love and goodness. Isn’t your life more precious to God than a bird? Be carefree in the care of God!”

God doesn’t hold Himself back, and He’s not reconsidering His purchase. You, beloved child, are the object of all of Daddy God’s affection and attention.

3. Our Father is not passive. He is intentional!

Maybe you had a father who was largely indifferent to you. Maybe you had a father who never initiated affection. I’m not here to slam dads; I’m here to say that God is not the sort to prefer reclining on the couch over spending His moments with you! He chose you (Ephesians 1:4), and I believe that He is still choosing you.

You have never been God’s afterthought. You were never a spontaneous decision. You certainly were never an accident, and you absolutely are no regret.

Papa God thoughtfully prepared all of history for your arrival. He chose the right epoch, the right century, the right season, the right year, the right time. And when that long-awaited moment finally arrived, He carefully designed your body in your mother’s womb—and it was His pleasure to do so. He mapped out your personality, your interests, and your longings, and when the moment of your entrance into the world came at last, He rejoiced with giddy celebration!

Your whole life long, even when you were dead in your sins, He initiated relationship with you again and again. He wooed you into life. He scooped you up, kissed your head, and crowned your brow with His goodness. And now that He has won your heart, He doesn’t rest on His laurels. The tremendous sacrifice He made at Calvary is and will always be enough, but Daddy God continues to intentionally prove Himself faithful, kind, and friendly every split second. As a matter of fact, Scripture records that He is looking for ways to be good to you (Psalm 23:6)!

My dear friends, receive today your daily portion. Receive today the Father’s help!

My heart,
Josh