Introduction: Have you noticed that in your life, when you’re “obedient” to our Heavenly Father, that is when you feel closer? “Doing our own thing” causes us to feel distant. Our Lord wants a relationship with us like your relationship with your family (parent/child, etc.). But honestly, we have to “work” at it, “take time,” “sacrifice,” and even do those things that are not “convenient.” Just like you LOVE your family, our heavenly FATHER loves us and wants to spend time with us (talking/praying/listening/reading His Word/obeying His voice—His Spirit/His leading/submitting to His will for our life).

Here are some Scriptures to encourage you today.

1. (Psa 103:1-14) – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits… Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

The word “pitieth” is the Hebrew word רָחַם (raw-kham’). It means to love or to have compassion. Did you notice the comparison between an earthly father and our Heavenly Father?

2. (Matt 7:11) – “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

Think about that. You know how much you love and care for your children and family, and how much you love to be a blessing to them! Jesus is saying that our Heavenly Father loves to give good things to His children.

3. (Gal 4:6) – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

It is interesting to note that in the oriental custom, a child’s first words would be “Papa Father,” not “Mama”! Admittedly, some who did not have a good father figure growing up struggle with a relationship with his or her Heavenly Father. However, once the truth of God’s Word is quickened in our hearts concerning the great LOVE He has for us, it should cause us to overcome feelings of rejection or abandonment. Bottom line: Are we going to trust our feelings or trust our Heavenly FATHER by FAITH?

4. (1 John 3:1,2) – “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God…”

John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, who was changed from a “son of thunder” into an “apostle of love,” writes to believers about the living God to remind them of our Heavenly Father’s out-of-this-world kind of love. There is nothing like it!

Conclusion: Where are you at with your relationship with your Heavenly Father? Do you feel distant? Do you feel unloved? Rejected? Please understand that we cannot go by our feelings when it comes to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Instead, His Word, which is truthful and trustworthy, should surpass our finicky emotions. What are you going to trust today? Why not bask in the “Great Love” and “Best Interest” of our Heavenly Father?

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese