WHAT A GREAT FATHER HE IS!: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 11TH NOVEMBER 2018

MEMORISE:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Psalm 146:9

READ: Psalm 68:4-10

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.  

7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness;

8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

MESSAGE

The God that we serve is a Father who is always present and is ever ready to help. He is full of love, compassion and mercy for all of His children, and He gives each one of them uninterrupted attention. 

As the Almighty Father, He is capable of giving us everything that we can ever need. He knows His children even more than they even know themselves - He knows their tomorrow and every single detail about them even before they were born.

No matter how great and good an earthly father is, he will still fall short and fail in some aspects of his children's wellbeing. An earthly father cannot boast of being with his children always. An earthly father cannot boast of knowing his children so well that he knows how to comfort  them at all times. 

Even when he says he is capable of giving his children everything they ask for, he cannot give then good health, retentive memory, safe journey, and other things that money can't buy. Our heavenly Father is the perfect Father to the fatherless, and He is a Father that other fathers run to in times of trouble. 

His love for His children immeasurably surpasses the love that an earthly father has for his children. Some people frown when they hear me call God my Daddy. Well, I don't know about you, but this God is my Daddy. 

He has shown so much care to me ever since I met Him that I cannot but see Him as my Daddy. He understands me, comforts me, protects me, heals me, corrects me, helps me and carries me. If God has been all these to you, I want you to take a moment, look up to heaven and just say, "Daddy I love You."

Have you been fatherless? Have you been lonely? Has your earthly father been distant and cold? Then you need to experience the loving kindness of Abba Father. To belong to Him, you need to be reborn by Him. 

His love is enough to wrap you in warmth for evermore. To enter into this special relationship with Him, confess these words:

Dear God, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived. 

Lord, I want to start afresh; come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. Make me a new creature in You. Thank You Abba Father for saving me.

After making these confessions in faith, you now need to find a Bible-believing church to attend so that you can build the relationship that has just begun between you and this Great Father.

KEY POINT:
God says to you today, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:L amentation 1-2, Luke 20:1-26

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

1. The Great Physician now is near,
The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!

Chorus:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest Name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.

2. Your many sins are all forgiv’n,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heav’n,
And wear a crown with Jesus.

3. All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Saviour’s Name,
I love the Name of Jesus.

4. His Name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh, how my soul delights to hear
The precious Name of Jesus!