We celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday in the month of June. Men receive cards and gifts as a token of appreciation for their position as fathers. Being a father is something we should not take lightly because it is a thankless job that seems like an afterthought by many people.
This day is a painful reminder for some and a joyful event to others (the Bible does not specifically recognize this day or most other holidays in particular), but honoring fathers is the fifth commandment attached with a promise (Exodus 20:12). We must take a closer look as to how Father’s Day is a blessing, a curse and its affect on all of our relationships.
Father’s Day: a blessing
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”
Psalm 127:3-5a NIV
Fatherhood is bigger than grades, athletics and activities for our children. It is about reaching the hearts of our children which is the heart of the problem in our society today (Malachi 4:6). God has assigned fathers the responsibility to lead their family and guide their children by developing and building up their moral character. They are commanded to sacrifice their own needs and train their children through guidance and discipline (Proverbs 22:6).
Fathers are also challenged to mirror God’s character as Heavenly Father (Ephesians 5:1). The Bible defines father as “the originator, founder, or the ability to pass on life” (1 Timothy 6:13). Godly women love men as leaders in the home because they know this will ultimately benefit the family unit (Titus 2:4-5).
Father’s Day: a curse
“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” Matthew 13:15
Many current ideas regarding family units are foolish, destructive and depraved by making what is right wrong and what is wrong right. Systems are in place to destroy families starting with the man through the woman. Fathers are often ignored in schools, ridiculed in the media and humiliated in courtrooms.
Multiple types of family units are now celebrated while the family unit with father, mother and children seems to be outdated. Sin breeds out-of-wedlock pregnancy and fornication without marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). More children are going to bed every night without their fathers at home.
Let us not forget that all of the greatest empires on Earth started their demise when the family unit was destroyed. Satan hates families because God created man in His likeness and angels cannot reproduce or enter into marriage (Matthew 22:20). As image bearers of God, mankind has always been the target of Satan since the beginning of time; so fathers become the main target to be removed from the home by any means necessary.
Father’s Day: our relationships
“Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.” Proverbs 4: 1-2
Relationships with our fathers affect the way we view other relationships throughout our lives. Fathers are the first male role model for children who serves as a template of how men are viewed. They also serve a unique role in their children’s life choices and relationships. Daily interaction with fathers determines how sons will treat women and how daughters will perceive men in relationships (Proverbs 4:2).
Fathers’ ultimate responsibility for children is modeling godly leadership as priest, prophet, provider and protector for their family for sons and building trust in men while protecting the heart and body in preparation for marriage for daughters (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Celebrating fathers is a gift from God in recognizing fatherhood. Buying tool sets or going out to dinner is fine but the best gift of honoring fathers is by living our lives that is pleasing to God (1 Corinthians 10:31). It is a privilege to be called fathers because the position demands respect by God’s high calling (Deuteronomy 6).
Simply to be called fathers should be bone-chilling, as it is the same name we call God. Fathers have great duty and privilege to lead our families and train our children for the next generation.
We want to salute all the dads, fathers and father figures out there! God bless you and keep you lifted as you lead others!
This article is one that should be added to everyone who keeps a journal. The married can be reminded to help the single and the single should be encouraged. Fatherhood is so important. With the world we live in now is really no different than the world before! How so? Everything is seen all over the world now. Everyone is doing openly whatever they want to do! So please keep this article close so we can remind each other that without good fathers we are going to die while living or think we are living!
Amen thank you for reading, Susan!