Parents Day: The Father’s Promises To The Fatherless

This picture captures the smile my inner child has knowing the Father’s Promises to the Fatherless. This picture was taken by Terricks Noah, on February 21, 2018. This photo was retrieved from Unsplash.com. (Photo by Terricks Noah on Unsplash)

Did you know our heavenly father makes promises to the fatherless? God’s promises for fatherless children come to mind because of Parents Day.

Parents Day

Why Does this Day Exist?

On October 14, 1994, President Bill Clinton passed the Parents Day resolution. This resolution makes the fourth Sunday in July a day to honor mothers and fathers.

Parents Day exists to

Celebrate the sacrifices and love parents have for their children.
Promote responsible parenting and positive reinforcements parents use for kids.

Time to Celebrate?

There are many ways to celebrate this occasion. The Universal Peace Foundation will host an awards ceremony in Washington, DC honoring parents of the year.

You can celebrate by donating, giving gift certificates, serving, or simply acknowledging a deserving parent. Similarly, you can recognize your parental figures by spending time with them, sharing a meal, or doing chores for them.

The Bible supports this day as Christians must honor their mothers and fathers (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1).

Unfortunately, as someone who grew up in a fatherless household, I have difficulty fully rejoicing on this day. National Today believes others may feel the same as 40% of children are born to single mothers and 49% of those moms never marry.

These statistics prove many children grow up without their fathers in the home. While this is a sad reality, there is good news.

Our Heavenly Father makes promises to the fatherless.

Biblical Expectations for Fathers

Direct Commands

To appreciate the significance of God’s promises to the fatherless, let’s examine biblical expectations for fathers.

The first expectation that comes to mind involves wisdom from King Solomon. “Train up a child in the way they should go so when they get old they will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, King James Version).

“The way they should go“ means parents should guide their children in ways pleasing to God. Moses supports this by telling the Israelites to teach God’s commands in daily interactions with their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Therefore, fathers are responsible for teaching their children to fear the Lord in all their ways.

Ephesians 6:4 also tells dads to raise their kids with the Instruction and discipline of the Lord. Pastor Tyrone Queen says Paul gives this advice because some dads would abuse their authority to the point of exasperation.

Indirect Principles

Along with not exasperating children, Fathers must love their wives as Christ loves the Church. NC Baptist believes seeing a husband demonstrate love to a wife helps kids understand how to care for their spouse.

A part of caring for a spouse and treating children fairly is to provide for them. Genesis 2:15 shows men are to provide for their families as Adam manages the Garden of Eden.

Adam’s call to manage the garden also reveals God’s desire for fathers (and all physically able individuals) to work. God wants believers to work hard to earn their keep. This is why there are verses like Proverbs 19:15 discouraging laziness.

God’s desire for fathers to model a good work ethic not only applies to obtaining daily needs. Believing fathers must also work hard by doing their part to fulfill the Great Commission.

This is because no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return to rapture away believers and judge unbelievers. By working hard for the Lord, dads can bring salvation to those lost and dying partly because of their father’s absence.

Great Examples to Follow

Dads can also bring salvation to their households by getting family members baptized. The jailer in Acts 16:25-34 does this after asking Paul what he must do to be saved.

Another way dads can act as a spiritual authority in their homes is by interceding for their kids.

Job intercedes for his children by offering burnt sacrifice after a time of feasting in case they sinned (Jobs 1:5). David intercedes for Solomon by asking Yahweh to give him the devotion to keep his commands and build the temple (1 Chronicles 29:19).

These examples show dads should pray about their kids’ conduct, willingness to honor God, and future success.

While prayer is a great discipline for dads to practice, insightful conversations about everyday matters are also essential. King Solomon uses the first seven chapters of Proverbs to advise his son about

Avoiding adulterous women.
Friendships.
Honoring God.
Obeying parents.
Operating with wisdom.
Politics.
Work ethic.

The counsel the king offers his son can benefit fathers as their seed matures from children to adulthood.

Our Heavenly Father’s Promises for the Fatherless

The previous section highlights biblical expectations and examples fathers should strive to emulate.

Unfortunately, some people can say their natural father was or is not in their life to be a godly leader. Thankfully, those with this testimony are not left without hope as our heavenly Father makes promises to the fatherless.

God Takes Care of His Children

The first two promises that come to mind are found in Psalms. Twice David reassures believers God will take care of and be a father to the fatherless (Psalm 27:10; 68:5).

As someone who grew up fatherless, it feels good to know God cares for those who trust in him.

Since God takes care of his children, we can trust scripture when he promises to

Save and adopt when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 4:4-7).
Bless us with good gifts and an inheritance (Matthew 7:11; Ephesians 1:11-14).
Comfort us during trials and tribulations (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Discipline us for correction and purification (Hebrews 12:6-11).
Dwell among us as we separate ourselves for his use (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
Fill and seal us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13).
Grant our prayers according to his will (John 15:7,16).
Guide us as we trust in him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

We know our Heavenly Abba will fulfill these promises because he is not like an earthly parent who tells lies (Numbers 23:19).

Honor Your Fathers

A Parenting Day article regarding our Heavenly Father’s promises to the fatherless would be incomplete without mentioning two essential guarantees.

Ephesians 6:2-3 says to honor your parents so it will be well with you and you may live a long life. Interestingly, Paul uses Ephesians 6:2 to show this is the first commandment with a promise.

So how should children strive to honor their parents? I strive to honor my mother by seeking and heeding her advice. I also try to conduct myself in an honorable manner and apologize when I am wrong.

For me, honoring my father is a difficult concept to grasp since he is not a consistent presence in my life. However, I show him respect by not demeaning his character, answering his rare phone calls, and praying for him occasionally.

Everyone Needs Forgiveness

Another way the Holy Spirit convicts me about honoring him is through forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 says we must forgive others if we want to receive the promise of being forgiven by God.

I have to surrender the willingness to show a form of honor to God daily. The reason why is I am still healing from his absence during my childhood.

I wish he had been present for many daily moments where I could have used my father’s guidance. Thankfully, where he fell short, God sent other men to help me become who I am today.

Today, I cannot hold a grudge, be angry or bitter toward my father because my Heavenly Father proves he’ll work all things out for my good (Romans 8:28). Though difficult, those left fatherless can also forgive or honor their father knowing God will use their absence for good.

Are there any promises our Heavenly Father makes to the fatherless I forgot? How have you seen God’s promises manifest in your life? Your responses are greatly appreciated!