October 9 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

There was a time when Father was a title. Among certain tribes, the chief was called Father. Jewish disciples called their rabbi Father. And in several church communities, Father is still used as a title of respect for the clergyman. The word pope comes from papa, which is a name for father. In short, father used to be a term that suggested feelings of respect for authority.

That's changed over the years. Respect and honor are no longer our first associations with the name father. Some fathers act like boys, and some boys like to use their fathers. In novels and films, the father is frequently a comical figure.

And for countless children, father is the name of a man who left long ago. There have always been unfaithful fathers and rebellious sons, but their tribe seems to have increased a thousand fold.

This changed father image is bound to have some influence on our use of the name Father for God. We believe God's fatherhood means that he loves us and especially that he cares for us. But the name Father is not likely to fill us with a deep sense of respect.

God has many great names in the Bible. By his names God tells us who he is. His greatest name is Father. This name has been revealed mainly through his Son, Jesus Christ. In fact we must belong to the Son if we are to call God our Father. The name reveals his love to us. But it also retains the old-fashioned notions of respect, honor, and authority.

God is forever the same kind of Father. God's love does not fail, and his authority is unquestionable. Looking at an earthly father is not enough to help us know God, but earthly fathers must look at God in order to know what it means to be a father.

God wants no other children than those who love and obey him with undiminished respect. We use God's name in vain if we call him Father and then refuse to obey him.

REFLECTIONS

When you pray to your Father in heaven, what does that name mean to you?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.