Friday, June 13
Thank You, Father
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.
Genesis 49:28
In his book The Effective Father, Gordon MacDonald told the story of James Boswell, the famous biographer of Samuel Johnson. When he was a child, Boswell's father took him fishing one day—a day he reflected on warmly many times as an adult. Until, that is, the father's diary revealed his own assessment of the day spent with his son: "Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted."
What was a blessed memory in the mind of a child probably became a burden in the heart of the adult. Fathers have tremendous power over their children—to bestow blessings or communicate curses with a word, a gesture, or an action. Regardless of how our earthly father has treated us, we have a heavenly Father who loves us and delights in our presence. We are encouraged to enter into His presence anytime (Hebrews 4:16) and with joy (Psalm 100:4). Earthly fathers can convey that same invitation to their own children—the sense that every moment together is one to be treasured for eternity.
On this Father's Day weekend, spend some extra time giving thanks for both your fathers—earthly and heavenly.
The child of God has only one dread—to offend his Father; only one desire—to please and delight in Him.
Charles Bridges
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 65:1 - 68:35
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