Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year 2016 | Page 44
Saturday—December 31st
The Lord Came Because of a Father’s Heart
Galatians 4:4-7
I remember when I became a father. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was quite the day.
All in one hour I went from thinking I was never going to be a father to being one. True story.
My daughter was dropped into my life in the space of an hour. We weren’t going to renew our
foster care license in a couple of weeks in our attempt to adopt so truly I was never going to
be a father until I was one.
I still remember walking into the hospital. I still remember walking into the room. I still
remember holding her in my arms. And I still remember what it was like to experience the heart
of a father for the first time. I remember the fierceness, the fire, the protection that was
leaping inside me. And I remember how at the same time I experienced fierceness I also
experienced an otherworldly tenderness toward her that I never knew I could have.
It makes me think of your Father. Your Father. How he must’ve watched with the ultimate
Father’s heart as his Son was born. What pride beamed from his heart to know His Son was
born so others would be too.
I can only imagine his fierceness and his tenderness to make that moment happen. How he
must’ve looked at us with a heart so tender that he’d send his Son in the first place. How he
must’ve looked at us all with a heart so protective that he’d swaddle us in his Son’s perfect life
under the law. How our Father must’ve longed and joyed at seeing his plan take shape in Jesus
as he watched it happen in real tim e.
I imagine that heart and when I do my heart leaps. Even as it does I know the Spirit is showing
me my Father’s heart for me. That heart gives me confidence today and forever. He’s my
Father. My heart knows it. Now yours does too.
PRAYER:
For all of time, you have had a Father’s heart toward us. At just the right time, you showed it.
Now we know it. Give us hearts that no longer fear, but rest in your protective love as your
children. Amen.
ACTIVITY:
Think of a time when you felt most loved by your father here on earth. Describe that moment.
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