“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” – Ephesians 3:12
I remember as a youngster that approaching my dad was not always easy for me. Not because he was unapproachable or distant, but he was my dad! To me, he was invincible. He was the ultimate decision-maker. He was my dad, and I was in awe of his “Dad Power”! I knew he loved me, and I knew he would always make decisions based upon what was best for me, but still I sometimes hesitated before going to him. The problem was that I often wanted things that weren’t necessarily the best for me. Still, I would usually ask many things of him, hoping for his favor in whatever it was I sought.
As I got older, approaching my dad was not easier, but the reasons for that changed. I didn’t want to disappoint him. I wanted him to be proud of me, so I didn’t bring trivial things to him. I wanted to do them on my own. I wanted to show him that I was a capable young woman, and I wanted his approval. Sometimes acting on my own, without his wisdom and guidance, brought me heartache and avoidable troubles, and then I would sheepishly go to him for his advice.
No matter what the reasons that I came to my dad, he always welcomed me with open arms, and after we had talked about whatever I came for, permission or forgiveness, he always hugged me and told me he loved me. This was my dad. In my own mind, I sometimes believed he was difficult to approach, but he never really was. The reality is that my father was always waiting for me to come to him. He never forced me to do so, instead in his wisdom, he simply waited for me.
That’s how it is with my heavenly Father. When I accepted Jesus as my Saviour, His Father in heaven became my Father in heaven. John 1:12 states, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” There have been times when I struggled to go to Him because of some sin in my life. At other times, I wanted my way, so I resisted seeking His advice, yet there were many occasions when I ran to Him as fast as I could, especially when I was afraid or overwhelmed. No matter the reason, my heavenly Father was always waiting for me with open arms, welcoming me in His embrace. In fact, He wants me to come to Him with anything that is on my heart. He longs to take care of His children. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
There is no need for me to be hesitant in approaching Him even if He is the Creator of the universe and the almighty God because I am His child. His scepter is always held out for me to approach Him without fear or trembling (Esther 4:11) because while He is my God, He is also my beloved Father. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” (1 John 3:1)
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
(from “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley)
“He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” – Psalm 89:26
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It’s good to know that I am held firmly in the hand of my Father!