Run to Home Base
Illustrating a Truth of The Father's Heart of Love
Jesus came to reveal our glad-hearted Father, who is the Source of life and love.[i] Why did He need to do that? Didn't the Jewish people know that God was their Father? Yes, but they didn't know Him to be the kind of Father He is. What a difference it makes once you begin to realize by faith that the God who is our Father stands head and shoulders above any of the earthly fathers we have ever met. 
Earthly fathers, being flawed and failed, can easily plant wrong images of God the Father in us, causing many to fear that He is a God of wrath, or stern justice, or high-handed impatience. Who would run to a father like that? In fact, Jesus said that the Father is just like Him--just like Jesus in love, mercy, grace and compassion.[ii]
Consider carefully the five truths listed in this illustration which display the Father's abundant grace and Heart of love. Your heavenly Father is always loving you and always working to save you! Because this is who God really is to you and for you then actually knowing and believing these truths will produce joy and peace in you, as well as love through you any moment of your life in which you touch this living reality by faith (see the Romans 15:13 passage).
Faith is what puts us in touch with reality, God's reality--the greatest reality of all. Not to live such a faith is to be caught in a bad dream from which One Day we will all be awakened in His Presence. Why not awaken now? School your heart in these five glorious truths and begin each day by basking in the bright Son-shine of your Father's Heart of love!
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:8 ESV
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
Prayer
Father, I confess that in many ways I have not believed that You are as loving and merciful as Jesus. Like Adam I have hidden in shame. Like the prodigal son I have been slow to return, fearing I would have to work my way back into Your good graces. Thank You for never being angry with me, despite my unbelief in You. Thank You that whenever I look to Jesus and see what He is like, I can also look through Him to see You smiling in my direction. Forgive me and break the power of unbelief and anything else that is keeping me from running home to You. I rest my heart fully on the love I see in Yours. Alert me whenever I begin to lose sight of Your true Image. From now on I will fight to believe in the truth about You that Jesus is revealing to me and I will seek Your grace even in my places of deepest disgrace. May Your perfect love cast out all of my fears!
Endnotes
[i] John 14:8-9: Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"
[ii] John 10:30: "I and the Father are one."
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