Significant: The Father’s Heart

But Zion said, “Yahweh has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.” [The LORD said,] “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you! Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”       Isaiah 49:14-16 (WEB)

Most of us did not have perfect parents.Most of us are not perfect parents. Both of these statements in my life went from bitterness and guilt to a journey of healing when a friend, Dr. Harvey Brown,  suggested and encouraged me to allow the Father God to show me His Father heart for me.

I began to read passages in Scripture where God spoke, Jesus described who He was, and especially the psalms. David wrote very descriptive verses about his relationship with the Father. I learned from David that I can be angry! I can weep to the point of exhaustion and the Father does not turn away or ignore me. The Father brings His comfort and healing.

[The LORD said,]“It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”      Isaiah 65:24 (WEB)

How cool is that??!! Before I call out to God, His answer is on the way! But why does it seem like He is silent? That could be the answer! Time to do a check on my question and intentions! Time to consider if I am lined up with God’s plan or am I trying to get Him to live up with my plans. God, in his mercy and desire to give me the best, may be saying “no” to my request for the ‘immediate mediocre’. May I have ears to hear God’s reply and not limit the answer to my own. What about sin? Won’t God punish me for sins? Doesn’t He hate me when I sin? Here is where I really had to learn how a “good Dad” responds to a disobedient child. God does not withhold His love. His love is never conditional on how ‘good’ I am.

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.        2 Corinthians 7:10 (WEB)

The Father sends His Spirit to convict me of my sin. Not condemn, but convict. So I will be sorry and seek His forgiveness that is free because of Jesus’ sacrifice. I do not have to beg or beat myself up. I am not a screw up! I am still the child He loves. If the Father’s assurance of love is not part of your understanding of His relationship with you, then begin reading in Jesus’ own words how much the Father loves you. John 14-16 is a good place to start.