Monday, June 17, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Let Down by the Ones We Love

Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.

Yesterday was Father's Day. For many individuals such as myself, this is a day to reflect on the good fortune of having such a wonderful father - a father that I am able to remember with love and admiration - a father who loved his family unconditionally!

Sadly, many individuals are not as blessed. In the United States alone, 24 million children live in a home without a father. Statistics reveal that 70 percent of juveniles held in detention facilities, 63 percent of teen suicides, and 71 percent of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.

Last week, we were taught that scripture warns us in Matthew 6:14 that if we can't forgive others, God cannot forgive us. Although it would most likely be extremely difficult to extend forgiveness to a father who may have abandoned his wife and children, abused his family physically or verbally, or put other things before his family.... it IS imperative to do so in order to receive God's forgiveness.

Jesus understood that forgiving someone who has wronged you can be almost impossible. I believe that is why He spoke the following words in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." In this verse Jesus is offering assistance for those struggling with the act of forgiving someone. He is advising us to bring our struggles in this area to Him in prayer and offers the assurance that our prayers will be answered.

My challenge to you today is to go to your Heavenly Father in prayer if you are having a hard time with forgiving your earthly father OR anyone else. If your concerns stem from the fear that this person will disappoint you again, please know that Jesus not only realized that this is a strong possibility, but he also provided advice. In response to Peter's question in Matthew 18:22 of whether or not forgiving a person seven times was sufficient, Jesus answered - "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Even if you do not have an earthly father, know that God is "Father to the fatherless" and indeed offers the purest love of all.

Dear Lord, Help me forgive those who have hurt me in any way. Please release me from any bitterness that I am holding onto and place inside of me a desire to love the seemingly unlovable.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.