The annual tradition of honoring fathers has come and gone once again, and it is only fitting that we bestow such honor.  After all, scripture tells us of God’s desire that we “honor our father and our mother.”  In our present age of self-help books on nearly any subject, we can books how we can be better parents, whether mother or father.  But the need for guidance in being the best father can be found in a source probably available in most homes in America.  That book is none other than the Holy Bible.

As we ponder the characteristics of godly fathers, we find several examples in scripture, of men who were great fathers.  This is not to slight our Heavenly Father, for He is the greatest of all fathers, but our aspirations to greatness cannot reach the level of God, the Father.  Therefore, we seek godly men who were great fathers to pattern our lives after.  If you seek such a model, look to Father Abraham, father of the people of Israel.

There are four primary characteristics in the life of Abraham that show him to be a godly father…  First and foremost, Abraham was a believer, even though he came from a family that worshiped other gods (Joshua 24:2).  He was a believer even though he endured hardships in life… He was a believer even in his and Sarai’s human limitations.  God had promised a number of things that seemed impossible, yet he believed and saw a portion of them come to pass.  Abraham guided and taught his family complete obedience to God and to deal justly with others.  He sought not his own welfare, but rather chose secondary to serving God and others.  When it came to bravery and courage, Abraham clearly showed both when Lot found himself carried away by warring factions.  With 300 trained men, Abraham pursued and rescued Lot and his family.  Last but not least Abraham demonstrated great patience.  From the time of God’s promises to their fulfillment, decades passed yet he patiently waited for them.  Want to be a better father?  Seek the guidance of godly men found in the pages of God’s word, the Bible.

Copyright © 2007, Nolan P. Rutter