I recently saw the following poem from Barry Adams in Dr. Annie Zac Poonen's book entitled "Woman, Why Are You Weeping?" I pray that it encourages you.
FATHER’S LOVE LETTER
The words you are about to read are true. They will change your life if you let them - for they come from the heart of God. He loves you. And He is the Father you’ve been looking for all your life. This is His love letter to you.
My Child,
| You may not know Me, but I know everything about you. | (Psalm 139:1) |
| I know when you sit down and when you rise up. | (Psalm 139:2) |
| I am familiar with all your ways, | (Psalm 139:3) |
| Even the very hairs on your head are numbered | (Matt.10:29-31) |
| For you were made in My image. | (Genesis 1:27) |
| In Me you live and move and have your being, | (Acts 17:28) |
| For you are My offspring. | (Acts 17:28) |
| I knew you even before you were conceived. | (Jer.1:4-5) |
| I chose you when I planned creation. | (Eph. 1:11-12) |
| You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book. | (Psalm 139:15-16) |
| I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. | (Acts 17:26) |
| You are fearfully and wonderfully made. | (Psalm 139:14) |
| I knit you together in your mother’s womb, | (Psalm 139:13) |
| And brought you forth on the day you were born. | (Psalm 71:6) |
| I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me. | (John 8:41-44) |
| I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love, | (1 John 4:16) |
| And it is My desire to lavish My love on you | (1 John 3:1) |
| Simply because you are My child and I am your Father. | (1 John 3:1) |
| I offer you more than your earthly father ever could | (Matthew7:11) |
| For I am the perfect Father. | (Matthew 5:48) |
| Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand, | (James 1:17) |
| For I am your provider and I meet all your need. | (Matt. 6:31-33) |
| My plan for your future has always been filled with hope, | (Jer. 29:11) |
| Because I love you with an everlasting love. | (Jer. 31:3) |
| My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore | (Psalm 139:17-18) |
| And I rejoice over you with singing. | (Zeph. 3:17) |
| I will never stop doing good to you, | (Jer. 32:40) |
| For you are My treasured possession. | (Exodus 19:5) |
| I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul | (Jeremiah 32:41) |
| And I want to show you great and marvelous things. | (Jeremiah 33:3) |
| If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me. | (Deut. 4:29) |
| Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart, | (Psalm 37:4) |
| For it is I who gave you those desires. | (Philippians 2:13) |
| I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine, | (Ephesians 3:20) |
| For I am your greatest Encourager. | (2 Thess. 2:16-17) |
| I am also the Father who comforts you in all your trouble. | (2 Cor. 1:3-4) |
| When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. | (Psalm 34:18) |
| As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. | (Isaiah 40:11) |
| One day I will wipe away every tear from your eye, | (Rev. 21:3-4) |
| And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. | (Rev. 21:3-4) |
| I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My Son, Jesus, | (John 17:23) |
| For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. | (John 17:26) |
| He is the exact representation of My being. | (Hebrews 1:3) |
| He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you | (Romans 8:31) |
| And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. | (2 Cor. 5:18-19) |
| Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. | (2 Cor. 5:18-19) |
| His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you; | (1 John 4:10) |
| I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. | (Romans 8:31-32) |
| If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive Me | (1 John 2:23) |
| And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. | (Romans 8:38-39) |
| Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. | (Luke 15:7) |
| I have always been Father, and will always be Father. | (Eph. 3:14-15) |
| My question is, “Will you be My child?” | (John 1:12-13) |
| I am waiting for you. | (Luke 15:11-32) |
Love,
Your Dad,
Almighty God.
Copyright Barry Adams –1999
Sister M.: WOW. Spoken like a True Father. I never had one, not like this anyway. Why does it seem so hard to appropriate this kind of love? I guess we must simply hold still and receive it. My heart aches with the realization that He waits for me to simply receive His Love. It can't be earned or deserved - only received. WOW.
ReplyDeleteHi Bro. Gary,
ReplyDeleteEven the greatest father on earth couldn't compare to this type of love. :-)
The only thing I didn't particularly like about this poem is that it loses context of some of the verses referenced.
It takes promises that God makes only to His children and implies that these are universally true for those who are not yet His children. As you know, God is not everyone's Father. Only the ones who are in Christ and led by His Spirit are His (John 1:12; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26, 4:6-7). So, God wouldn't ask someone who is already His child (to whom these promises are given) whether they would be His child.
Nonetheless, for those who are His children, these promises are certainly true.
Like you, it really impressed upon me how much love He has for us. It IS hard to imagine. I too pray that I can simply receive that as He continues to transform us into His image. Who would turn away from such a wonderful Dad? :-)
I grew up without an earthly father, I don't even know who he is. Most of these basic truths, I know. But a few struck me and do so EVERY TIME I read them; "And to tell you I am not COUNTING your sins," "I gave up EVERYTHING I love that I might gain your love," "....and I will give you the desires of your heart, for it is I who gave you those desires!"
ReplyDeleteOur Fathers love in incomprehensible and unfathomable. It draws me close to Him and compels me to worship and love Him all of my days.
Thank you, for this wonderful reminder. It has so blessed my soul, and this isn't the first time, it's just the first time I've taken the time to write you. You blog compels US/ The Body of Messiah to live lives of Holiness unto our G-d. May the blessings of the L-rd overtake you as you continue to lift Him up as He draws ALL men unto Himself. Shalom aleichem. - Diamond, Columbus Ohio
Just passing through to say "Hello" from an old Facebook friend. I know you can't be with us anymore or for now, but you are missed!
ReplyDelete~Mark Anthony
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to hear from you and see that you are doing well. I miss many of the brothers and sisters I met there as well, but God willing the fellowship can continue.
God Bless!
This poem absolutely blesses me each and every time I read it. I have re-read every scripture and each and every promise is true. How great is our God? No one can compare? Have a magnificent day! Praying for the love, joy, health, and strength of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jay
Hi Jay,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement and your prayers. You remain in ours as well. May God's promises continue to give us life and serve as an anchor for our souls in these dark days.
Much love!