The third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day worldwide. It is a time that was set aside to intentionally honor our fathers.
In the Bible, Jesus addressed God as Abba, an Aramaic word for father. It was a common semitic term that expresses affection, confidence, and trust. So, for fathers today, what can we learn from our Abba Father that we can emulate in our lives.
Let us use the outline ABBA:
A – be an Advocate.
Fathers should be advocates for their children. They are to speak up for them when they are being wronged, and they are to defend them against those who would harm them. God is our ultimate Advocate. He is always there for us, no matter what. He speaks up for us when we are being wronged, and He defends us against those who would harm us.
B – be a Blesser.
Fathers are to bless their children. They are to speak words of life and hope over them, and they are to pray for them. Ephesians 6:4 reminds us — “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
God is our ultimate Blesser. He speaks words of life and hope over us, and He prays for us.
B – be a Builder.
Fathers are to build their children up. They are to teach them the truth, and they are to help them grow in wisdom and character. Proverbs 22:6 is a great reminder for fathers — “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
God is our ultimate Builder. He teaches us the truth, and He helps us grow in wisdom and character.
A – be Appreciative.
What our children need is appreciation and affirmation. We must let them know that they matter to us. Matter means something that occupies space and has weight. So, when we say that our children matter to us, that means that we see them and what they are doing, and we tell them that they are important to us.
All of us matter in the eyes of God. In Matthew 10:30-31, Jesus said, “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us take a moment to appreciate and show our love to our fathers. Let us also take a moment to thank God for our fathers. Let us also thank our Abba Father who never fails us nor forsakes us.
Happy Father’s Day!
Sincerely,
Director, Office of Communications