A Good Father

Billy Graham once said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” But what does it mean to be a good father? The Bible contains many precious insights on the subject. Here are a few: A Good Father… Is Known by the Lord: “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord” (Genesis 18:19). Serves the Lord: “If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Leads: “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7). Nurtures: “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Protects: “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge” (Proverbs 14:26). Provides: “What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11) Comforts: “Ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children” (1 Thessalonians 2:11). Understands: “As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). Teaches: “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7). Prepares: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Disciplines: “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth” (Proverbs 3:11,12). Forgives: “He arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:20-24). Rejoices: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). Is Blessed: “Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:3-5).