Doubtless Thor Art Our Father.

 

JANUARY 20
 
Doubtless thou art our father.
 
Isaiah 63:16
 

 
A fatherless child is generally an object of pity.
 
But a believer is never fatherless,
  his faith maybe weak,
   his fears may be many,
    his trials may be great,
     his foes may be fierce, and
      his prospects maybe dark,
but God is his father.
 
“We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus;”
  and nothing can dissolve that relationship.
 
We may lose the enjoyment of it,
  but the privilege remains the same.
 
Once a child, a child for ever.
 
Nor shall we easily give up our confidence;
  but rather, like the saints of old,
  though sensible of many sins,
  though enduring painful privations,
  though mourning over the hiding of the Lords face,
  we shall stand fast the fact,
     “Doubtless thou art our father.”
 
Beloved if God is our father,
  he will chasten us,
  he will put our love and confidence to the proof,
  he will teach us some hard and difficult lessons;
    but he will still pity us,
  spare us,
    listen to us, and
      send us all that is absolutely necessary.
 
If God is our father,
  he will notice the least good thing
    that may be in us;
  he will take the meaning of our hearts; and
  he will accept the smallest offering at our hand.
 
Then let us, while we dwell below,
   Obey our Father's voice;
To all his dispensations bow,
   And in his name rejoice.
 
 
James Smith 1849