“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9, KJV)
The prayer is short but profound. It is well-known and spoken repeatedly. The opening stanza is often speedily rattled off as if it is some sort of an informal introduction or an obligatory phrase instead of the mighty recognition it is in reality. The words “Our Father” sometimes even become a casual title for the prayer that the Lord gave us as a model. The fact is, we as created beings have an Eternal Father who redeems and loves us in extraordinary ways. This truth should humble us in ultimate respect and liberate us in joyous worship.
The powerful significance of having a Father in heaven is immensely fortunate and indescribable for us as flawed sinners because His grace is immeasurably abundant upon us as His children. For “Our Father” is not a father beyond approach, nor is He a father unmoved by His children. He is not a father who forgets our needs, nor is He a father who is unforgiving. He is not a father who turns away, nor is He a father who is too busy. He is not a father who withholds, nor is He a father who rejects us when we fail. He has never been a father who falters when things are difficult, nor is He a father who grows weary in generous or appropriate provision. He is not a father casual in his love, nor is a father unwilling to sacrifice.
To utter the words “Our Father” is not to speak of our Father in heaven but to come into the presence of the Almighty God, our Father as His child. To say “Our Father” is to recognize the reality of having a Father in heaven. Our Father is a father who always welcomes the contrite and humble, forgiving every single sin and cleansing them in complete indescribable mercy and grace. Our Father is moved by needs and never turns away. Our Father is always available and gives more than we can ever imagine. Our Father never becomes weary or faint to in coming to us in love. Our Father is unfathomable in His passion for us as He has sacrificed His only Son to reconcile and redeem us forever.
All other fathers may fail us but “Our Father” cannot fail. He never has failed and He never will fail. Let us all slow down when we say “Our Father” and be ever thankful our Father in heaven is “Our Father.”
“Surely you are still our Father! Even if Abraham and Jacob would disown us, LORD, you would still be our Father. You are our Redeemer from ages past.” (Isaiah 63:16, NLT)
Suggested Bible Reading … Matthew 6 & Isaiah 63:16
