Daily devotion – Fatherhood 2023
Pro 10:1 A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Pro 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad,
Pro 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
Pro 19:26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Pro 23:22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Pro 23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
There have been many books written on fatherhood but let us always be reminded that God’s Word is THE book for all father’s to turn to for wisdom in the role of being a father.
Time and time again I see people looking past the Word of God for inspiration and wisdom on how to deal with tough situations in marriage, parenting, discipline and other intimate relationship and family matters. When God’s Word expounds a plethora of wisdom and instruction that is too often ignored or not treated seriously. When one becomes a child of God we are reminded that the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us and enables us to read and understand the Holy Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
and is profitable for doctrine – What is right
for reproof, – What is NOT right
for correction – How to get right
for instruction in righteousness – How to stay right
Dad’s as we draw close to Father’s Day 2023, be advised the task of raising you and your wife’s children rests mainly with you as the spiritual head of the house- Eph 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
The book of Proverbs is full of God’s wisdom and direction for you in raising godly sons and daughters. Especially in the area of discipline. Yes, your wife partners in this task, but your role as a father is paramount. The responsibility rests heavily upon your shoulders.
Pro 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Such talk of discipline in this matter today is considered an anathema, but let us realize that such disciple is rare and needed only at very select times to match the seriousness of the matter or rebellion of the child.
There are too many Australian Christian fathers who have relinquished the discipline of their children solely to their wives. This is unfair both to your wife and to your children. It’s nothing more than a sign of weakness which should not be part of the characteristic of godly fatherhood seen by your children and witnessed by your wife.
But in addition, gentle strong leadership is needed to be a godly father in your home. God’s Word says it’s the father’s role to lead his family. Therefore, this leadership needs to be wise. Read through Proverbs and underline how many times the Scriptures speak of the wisdom of God being available – Pro 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.
Many fathers leave following Christ as an open-ended decision not to be placed upon their children which is tragic in so many ways. Yet, these same fathers will direct and encourage, coach their children in many worldly pursuits.
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Pro 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
A child left to find their own devices is a child unloved. Is a child neglected.
Dad’s, model Christ, for He is who you are to submit to and be like. He is the absolute image of the character we are to reflect in our homes.
This task if you fail, or neglect, has dire consequences for you but especially for your children.
You need the wisdom of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to be a godly father!