A Good, Good Daddy

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“Do you know of any parent who would give his hungry child, who asked for food, a plate of rocks instead? Or when asked for a piece of fish, what parent would offer his child a snake instead?” (Matt. 7:9-10, tPt).

Have you met a man with little children who sticks out to you as a particularly good daddy? I imagine that you have. Take a moment and picture that father’s three-year-old princess standing in front of him, looking up into his face with a request in her eyes. She is a vision of absolute preciousness; delicate, sweet, and stunningly lovely. How will her daddy respond?

You know the answer. He will sweep her up in his arms, hold her close, and immediately respond lavishly to her entreaty. Even if what she is asking for is not really a need – but more of a little girl’s “want” – his heart will swell so much that he will most likely give it to her anyway. And how much more so will his emotions stir when she tells him that she’s hungry, or not feeling well! He will immediately move heaven and earth to get her what she needs.

“If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” (v. 11).

I don’t know what your earthly father is like, or if he is still here with you. However, with all my heart and all my soul, I know this: your heavenly Daddy far surpasses in tenderness even that wonderful father that came to your mind when I asked. Abba knows how to take care of you. His proficiency at fathering you is indescribable. His love for you is far deeper than the vastest of oceans. Like the little daughter of that exemplar daddy you met, you have Papa God wrapped around your little finger. You melt His heart and make it beat faster. He would do anything for you. He already has.

He’s been highlighting today’s Scripture to me, bringing it up through numerous, unrelated sources that I’ve read recently. After it came up for the third time, He whispered something to my spirit. He pointed out to me how utterly defenseless and dependent little children are. He then put you and me in the same category as them. And finally, He emphasized in no uncertain terms how His heart responds to our susceptibility. He tenderly expressed that His emotions rise up in fierce protectiveness of us when we are vulnerable. His soul is passionately driven to cover our helplessness and meet every one of our needs.

What do you need today, precious child?

Is it healing? How He yearns to make you whole!

Is it financial provision? If you ask for food, will He give you rocks?

Is it guidance? If you ask for direction, will He give you a snake?

Is it comfort and love? Beloved of His heart, He will never, ever, ever turn you away!

Come before your heavenly Daddy, little one. Look up expectantly into His kind, beautiful face with your request in your eyes. He knows, to the very core of His being, how much you need Him. And His heart is swirling within His chest, responding to you with an intensity of devotion that you have only begun to get the tiniest glimpse of. Let Him sweep you up into His everlasting arms. You will have what you need.

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Do you believe in your heart of hearts — not just in your head, but deep down inside — that your Daddy loves to answer your prayers?