Father’s Day, is usually celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June in Singapore. It is a day where we remember the contributions of fathers around us. As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day next week (18th June), here are some things that we can be thankful to our fathers for. We thank them for being…
F – FAITHFUL
We thank our fathers for trying to be faithful men of God. When God was planning to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He decided not to conceal His intentions from Abraham, for “…I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment…” (Genesis 18:19). We thank our fathers for emulating the example of Abraham in trying to not only put their faith into practice, but also by teaching their children to be faithful as well.
A – ACTIVE
We thank our fathers for being active. When we were little children, our fathers were the ones who lifted us high up into the air like an aeroplane, or pretended to be a horse that we could ride on. More importantly, we saw that they were active in serving the Lord. They took heed of the words of the apostle Paul, who exhorted Christians to be “…always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We thank our fathers for being in active in teaching others, serving at the Lord’s table, visiting the less fortunate, and being actively involved in a thousand other activities in the Lord’s kingdom.
T – THOUGHTFUL
We thank our fathers for being thoughtful. They are thoughtful not only because they remember birthdays and anniversaries, but because they are always looking out for the needs of the household, as well as those around them in the church. Our fathers let their tired wives and children eat first, sit first, sleep first… They have taken to heart the instruction to emulate the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who had a humble mind, who was thoughtful and put others before self (Philippians 2:3-5).
H – HARDWORKING
We thank our fathers for being hardworking. They are toiling hard at their jobs in the offices, factories, workshops. Regardless of the type of work they do, they are ceaselessly working, because they remembered the admonition from the apostle Paul that “…if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). Our fathers are hardworking, never ceasing to ensure that their family is fed and clothed.
E – EDIFYING
We thank our fathers for providing edification. The word “edifying” means “to build up, to strengthen”. Our fathers build their wives and children up through “teachable moments”, such as praying with them frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17), giving thanks always (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and teaching Bible stories. We thank our fathers for providing us with edification that is derived from God’s Word.
R – REVERENTIAL
Finally, we thank our fathers for being reverential. They do all of the above and more, because first and foremost, they revere and respect God and His Word, and they want to do right by Him. Just like Abraham, our fathers desire to command their children to walk in the way of God (Genesis 18:19), and to learn how to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
A F.A.T.H.E.R. is a wonderful person who deserves to be honoured, not just on Father’s Day, but every day. Thank God for our fathers! Show him your love today, and every day.