Morning Brew: Thursday, Oct 29

What kind of Father is God to you? Is he a loving, forgiving, embracing Father or a cold, distant, judging Father? I know many of you have father issues. Maybe your dad was never there. Maybe your dad abandoned you. Maybe your dad was in the home but might as well have been gone. Perhaps you had a great experience with a loving, earthly father that set you up to view God (as your Heavenly Father) in the best possible light.

When God describes his relationship with Israel (Ephraim), he uses the metaphor of a father dealing with an unruly, rebellious, stiff-necked child. Even through the child’s rebellion and hurtful actions, God wants to know that he will always, always, always love Israel. Even though Israel may be in punishment, God’s love for her has never wavered.

18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:

    ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf,

    and I have been disciplined.

Restore me, and I will return,

    because you are the Lord my God.

19 After I strayed,

    I repented;

after I came to understand,

    I beat my breast.

I was ashamed and humiliated

    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,

    the child in whom I delight?

Though I often speak against him,

    I still remember him.

Therefore my heart yearns for him;

    I have great compassion for him,”

declares the Lord. Jeremiah 31:18-20

Maybe that’s your story. Maybe you spent years rebelling against God. Maybe you think you deserve all of the judgment that could come your way. Maybe you doubt whether God could ever truly love you with your past.

Hear him say to you, “Are you not my dear child, in whom I delight. My heart yearns for you and I have great compassion for you,” declares the Lord. Know that you are incredibly loved by a Heavenly Father that embraces you, mess and all.

What kind of Father is God to you?