Dec 27 2008
When We View God as if He were a man…
Did you grow up with a harsh father or mother? When that’s the case we often struggle to see God as a loving Father. My parents weren’t harsh, but my church taught that God demanded perfection.
Because it was drilled into me as a very small child and I was of a compliant nature, I was convinced of God’s holiness, righteousness and extremely demanding nature. And because I could never measure up, I despaired of ever making the grade.
It took getting into the Word to find out that His anger only extends toward those who flaunt their rebellion and sin. Toward His repentant children, He is a tender, delighted Father, who dotes on His kids. Isn’t that an incredible word-picture?
I’ve never forgotten when it occurred to me that when we run to God, He bends down and extends His arms, anxious to cuddle and caress us in His arms just like a doting human father. I could see it happen in my mind’s eye.
The Book of Psalms is full of examples of tenderness, and I, for one, am so glad He included them in His Word. Without them I might still be frantically trying to measure up to an invisible standard that isn’t even reality.
He tells me that in Him and through Him I can accomplish all things, while in my own flesh, I am weak and helpless. And though He sees me as needy, He doesn’t berate me for it or humiliate me for my lack of strength. Instead He says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your soul.”
We serve an tender-hearted God, who runs to us when we call. He sends angels to minister to us, while His Spirit lifts us above circumstances and fights on our behalf. He surrounds us with songs of deliverance, and goes before us in warfare when we put on our spiritual armor. When picturing God we must put aside our preconceived ideas and seek His Word for answers that are not only true but often diametrically opposed to our current belief systems.
Let Him be God to you in the way He intends, and that revelation will transform your very life!
Because of His great love,
Nancy
