p. 146 | OUR FATHER by E. A. Dyke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1877

OUR FATHER.

By E. A. Dyke

There is no name among all names, which more inclines us towards God than the name Father. We should not feel so much happiness and consolation in calling him our Lord, or God, or Judge; and, by this name, Father, the heart of the Lord is moved, for there is no voice more lovely or more endearing to a father than that of his child. He who confesses that he has a Father in Heaven acknowledges himself a stranger upon earth; hence there arises an ardent longing in his heart as in that of a child who dwells far from his father's country, among strangers, in wretchedness, and in mourning. It is as if he said, “Alas! my Father, thou art in Heaven; I, thy unhappy child, am on the earth, far from thee, in the midst of danger, necessity and tribulation.” Oh! how good the Lord is! how gentle! how long-suffering!

Notwithstanding all our faults and imperfections, the great God, the ruler of the universe, the maker and builder of all things, styles himself our Father, and calls us his children, if we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight; and more than that, he says he is more willing to give his Holy Spirit to those that ask for it than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. We all know (especially those of us who are parents) how willing and anxious parents are to give good gifts to their children; and if God is still more willing, why need we want for his Holy Spirit, or for wisdom to guide us through this dark world of sin? Why not look up in all confidence, as a child to an earthly parent, and say, Our Father, give us thy Holy Spirit to guide us aright; give us wisdom to enable us to do thy will in all things? and he has said he would give it, and upbraid not.

If we could but fully realize what a kind and loving Father he is, we should more easily and readily sever our affections from this sinful world, and ardently long for the time to come when we could join him in his heavenly kingdom, there to dwell in love, with Jesus and all the angelic hosts through eternity. Oh! for a panting after God; for a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, that we may be filled, and finally be so happy as to hear it said

to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many.” Our Father in Heaven, increase our faith is my prayer.

E. A. Dyke. Hillsdale, Mich.