God the Best of Fathers

    He is almighty. This we are taught in the creed: "I believe in God the Father Almighty." I "will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Fathers of our flesh are poor and weak. They would do many things for their children which they cannot do. But " our Father" is "almighty."

    He is all-wise. Here earthly fathers often miss it. But G-od "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." When it is good for his children to prosper, it shall be so. When he chastens us, it is "for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."

    He is all-seeing, all-knowing, always present. Parents, oftentimes, know not what their children at a distance endure. Jacob knew not the misery of his poor Joseph in the pit, or in the dungeon. But our heavenly Father sees us, and knows all our wants. Whatever our condition be, our Father is present. He knows what grace, what strength, what support we need.

    He is rich. All the riches of heaven and earth are his. It is not so with us. The child wants many a thing which the father hath not for him. But God is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think."

    He is ready. Willing to give. Open-handed. Tender-hearted: "Before they call, I will answer," is his language; "and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." He is always at hand. There is a ready passage from earth to heaven; no gulf.

    He is a loving, ever-loving Father: "God is love." David was an extraordinary loving father, especially towards his son Absalom, though rebellious and in arms against him. But the love of our heavenly Father is in all respects superlative and singular. When he corrects, it is in measure and mercy. Nay, he is pleased to take to himself the tenderness of mothers: "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."

    He is a living, ever-living, a lasting, everlasting Father. Earthly fathers are not so. They often die, and are taken away when their children have most need of them. But God is an everlasting Father: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

    If we have such a father, let us cast our care upon him. What comfortable lives we might lead if we could learn this lesson—" Be careful for nothing."

    "Be followers of God, as dear children."