The Reward Of Fatherhood

-June 19, 2022-

Good morning Happy Lord’s Day, Happy Father’s Day,

“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.”

(Proverbs 23:24).

Fatherhood is not easy. It takes years of hard work, sacrifice, discipline, and most of all love. The father is the leader of the household, the example, the role model. No father is perfect, but with the Lord’s help, he can be the perfect leader for his particular family. There is no greater joy that to see one’s children, sons and daughters, saved, and walking with Jesus.

Proverbs 23:15-16 says, “My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.” Fathers are proud of their children when they get good grades, graduate from high school and college, get married, have their own children, enjoy success in their career, and made a good income. But there is more to life than these earthly things, though they are really important. Seeing a son or daughter going on to live for the Lord and serve Him, is worth far more, both now and for all eternity.

We all invest in various things in life and hope for a good return on our investments. There is no more important investment than our children. It takes a lot of prayer to make it happen. Ultimately, each child and in fact every person must make their own decision to follow Christ. We can never force anyone into a decision. The best witness and testimony is a godly example. Children want to see our Christianity lived out, not just hear it spoken about. They want to see consistency and reality in all areas of life: at church, at home, in the neighborhood, in the workplace, and wherever we go. Children want to be proud of their fathers, just as fathers want to be proud of their children.

The old expression is so true, “Like father, like son.” It only works however, if the father is doing good, pleasing the Lord, and honoring God. My question is simply, would you want your kids to be like you? Or would you need a caveat for some exceptions? Honesty is the best policy, and if we blow it, which we all do at times, we need to ask our children to forgive us. They will accept our discipline and correction if we accept God’s discipline and correction in our lives.

Fathers with a soft heart toward God, will likely have a soft heart toward one’s wife and kids. Just as God delights in our obedience, so too, we delight in our children’s obedience. Let’s honor our fathers today, love them, and appreciate them. May we enjoy each precious moment with them in person or on the phone. If our fathers have departed this earthly scene, let us remember them.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day and Father’s Day. May it be the best one yet that we won’t soon forget. Stay safe and healthy.

In God’s love and strength,

Dean