We wish all the fathers a Happy Father’s Day this Sunday, June 21 and may your children look up to you as the head of the family. Just as important is the fact that not only are the children to look up to him to honor him and for guidance but also because he has earned that respect so that he has a good name throughout the church and community. Solomon said, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Prov. 22:1). No matter how tall a child grows or how old he or she may live, he or she should be able to look up to their father.
Fathers who have long gone to be with the Lord are still looked up to in the remembrance of the things they stood for and taught while alive. They are like Abel of old whose faith still speaks to us today even though he has been dead for generations. Children often imitate their fathers so be careful fathers that a good example is set. Children can not only imitate good examples but bad examples as well. It is sad to see fathers who have not lived up to the name of being a “father’ and they expire with no one to truly mourn their passing.
Just as we are to look up to our natural fathers, we are to look up to our Heavenly Father who is able to supply all our needs. The Psalmist David said, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2). Looking down we see the perishable but looking up we see the imperishable. Just as we should grow in the godly instruction of the father, we are to grow in instruction of our Heavenly Father. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (I Pet. 3:18). May we all grow tall and strong as the mighty oak with roots implanted deep so that we cannot be easily topped by the strong winds of adversity.
May all children be wise as the scriptures give us the results of this wisdom and also the opposite which is being foolish. “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.” (Prov. 28:7). “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” (Prov. 10:5). Wisdom or foolishness; which will it be? whether by the father or the children? May God grant us grace to make the right choices to honor our natural father and our eternal and loving Heavenly Father!–May 16, 2015–Elder Larry Wise
