I grew up in a tight-knit family with both grandparents a very visible knot in the loop. My grandfather will travel hundreds of miles every month to see us, even at 90 plus, he kept the tradition going. Consequently, I have two great fatherly figures in my young life. As you may expect, the affection is skewed towards my grandfather, at least when he is around. I love my grandfather because he never holds anything back from me. Unlike my father, there is no ‘NO’ in his dictionary. When I ask, he gives. Sometimes we are tempted to see God as our mystic benevolence who grants all we ask for. In today’s post, I will share five reasons why God is not in any way like your grandfather.
#1 God doesn’t have Grandchildren
And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. 2Corinthians 6:18
God doesn’t have grandchildren. He is not your grandfather. He is your father and you are his child. He listens to you. He loves you. He answers to your call. He hears your cry. He speaks directly to you as his child and you have the privilege of coming directly before him. In our adoption certificate into God’s family (sealed through Christ’s sacrifice), there is no such clause as children or grandchildren, privileged or underprivileged kids. If you listen, you will hear him just as the prophets heard from him. If you yield to him he will use you just as he uses your “spiritual father”. We are all children of God and God is our father.
#2 God doesn’t sit in heaven and watch over you
My grandfather passed away on his knees singing hymns during one of his early morning devotion. What a way to die! I hear all the time that grandpa sits in heaven watching over me.
Sometimes we have that same view of God sitting in heaven on his throne watching over us. No, God is not in any way like your grandfather, he is actively involved in your life. He doesn’t merely watch your life unfold, he unravels you. Psalm 139 He doesn’t just somehow keep you from falling, he catches you each time you fall. Deuteronomy 32: 10-12 He doesn’t just watch over you in the storms of life, he walks by your side in the storms of life. Isaiah 43:2 He is the pillar that holds your life together. Ephesian 3: 20 He puts together every knot in your being. Psalm 139: 13
#3 God is closer to you than you think
My Grandfather is not always there, but he shows up big time when he is around. A father doesn’t show up because he is always there. Every step, big or small, a good father is always there. God is such a father. There is not a single time or point in your life that God is not there. You (God) know when I sit down or stand up. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful Is there anyplace I can go to be out of your sight? If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute— you’re already there waiting!
God is closer than you think, unlike grandpa, he doesn’t need to lighten up and show up because he never leaves you.
#4 God is the final authority over your life
As your father, God is the ultimate authority over your life. He will not do as you please, he will do as he pleases. Psalm 135: 6
He will not spare the rod like your senile benevolence grandfather, according to CS Lewis, “who likes to see young people enjoy themselves and whose plan for the universe was simply that at the end of each day a good time was had by all.”
Well, your life is not all about you, your ways or your desires, it is about a loving father who has given you the free will to live life to its fullness, yet commands that you subject that life and will to his authority. Regardless of your dreams, your path, your plans, your weakness and your strength, God has the final say.
#5 God cannot be influenced Grandchildren know exactly what emotion will bring forth certain responses from their grandfather, and they are often quick to push those buttons.
You think if you do your bit he will do his. You think if you are good he will reward you with nice threats. You think he cannot bear to see your tears, so you cry at the slightest impasse. God is not like your grandfather. Nothing you do will make him love you more because he loves you no matter what you do. Your tears will not move him to do his part because he does his part all the time. He will not keep his hands out of your life.
You cannot manipulate him to do your bidding because he will do as he pleases. But his thoughts towards you are the thoughts of good. Jeremiah 29:11.
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