Our Heavenly Father does nothing without planning. Before sending His precious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be born of a virgin, He carefully selected the man who would serve in the role of His earthly father:
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they enjoyed their wedding night, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.”…
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25 MSG).
Joseph’s display of a righteous, deep respect for his wife and a desire to obey God serves as the model for all fathers to follow.
Honoring the Fathers in My Life
As Linda’s cognitive capacities erode and her physical strength ebbs away, I stand in amazement as her God consciousness remains intact. This is not accidental! From childhood she was taught the Bible, and the Holy Spirit created within her a sense of destiny. Each day, I thank God that just as He selected Joseph to be Mary’s husband, He selected me for Linda. Let me hasten to add I do not equate myself with Joseph; without doubt, Mary surely got a better deal than Linda!
My earthly father, a skilled carpenter, was and continues to be, my hero. Spiritually, very aware of his human frailties, he pointed me toward an all perfect Heavenly Father. Growing up in an era when men did not openly express their love, I never doubted he loved me greatly; he demonstrated that love by his willingness to place the needs of my mother and siblings before his.
Prior to our marriage, Linda and I determined that passing our spiritual heritage to our descendants would be a top priority. On this special day, I rejoice as I watch my son, Michael, extend to his children that which he received, praying for their spiritual growth and development. It would be remiss of me to not mention the great appreciation I have for my two sons-in-law, Bob and Sam. They endeavor to do the will of our Lord and instill in their children Godly values. Finally, with great joy, I am now witnessing another level of passing the torch: My grandson, Jordan, and my grandson-in-law, Cody, consistently point my two wonderful great- grandchildren toward Christ.
I deeply grieve that Linda is not aware her prayers for our family are being answered. At the same time, I eagerly anticipate the coming day when she shall never be confused again and we will have ample time in eternity to reflect upon the faithfulness of God in carrying out His promises.
God’s Plan for Fatherhood
Despite consistent media depiction of men as bumbling idiots and increasing political demands that the state has the final say in how children are to be nurtured, it is imperative that biblical fatherhood be embraced as enduring truth. More than any other people, despite being dispersed among the nations of the world for 2000 years, the Jews have retained their identity. In large part this can be traced to a very specific teaching:
Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 MSG).
Likewise, as followers of Christ, we have not been left to our own devices. Rather, we have been given a reproducible pattern which serves as a New Testament counterpart to an Old Testament truth. In a nod to Moses’ mention of the hands and forehead, the picture accompanying today’s blog depicts the reality that the whole of the Bible is to inform our minds:
Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master (Ephesians 6:4 MSG).
Ron Harvard Ministries 