Child Of God
by Margaret Silvester
It’s interesting that in the Old Testament the word ‘Father’ expressing intimacy with God is used fifteen times and yet in the New Testament it’s used almost one hundred and fifty times. Jesus taught us to call His Father our Father because that’s who He is, and true relationship with Him is that of a father and a child.
This surely tells us that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ desires intimate relationship with each of His children here and now. The desire of His heart is that we should know Him and not simply know about Him. Knowing about a person doesn’t make a scrap of difference to our relationship with that person. But knowing a person means heart knowledge, and that changes a life.
A.W. Tozer wrote, ‘It is a gracious thing in our relationship with our heavenly Father to find that He loves us for ourselves and values our love more than galaxies of created worlds’. What inexpressible value He puts upon His children. Each one is unique, chosen and dearly loved.
When the Bible says that God is faithful it means that He will never change. He’s the same today as He was yesterday and He’ll be the same tomorrow. He doesn’t change like shifting shadows. Whatever we have or haven’t done, He treats us as dearly loved children, never loving us more or less. His love is steadfast love. He’s not harsh and demanding; not hard to please, but tender and compassionate.
Sadly, it’s possible for us to be trapped in wrong beliefs about God so that we’re unable to perceive how greatly we’re loved, valued and wanted. Wrong beliefs are prejudices which produce wrong attitudes of heart and mind towards Him, so we end up living in a relationship of master-slave rather than Father-child.
Knowing you are a dearly-loved child of the perfect Father, means you’re secure in Him and free from harm. The fact that you trust Him brings a sense of peace and safety to your heart.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing love shown in the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You that my true identity is ‘Child of God’, and that is what I am. Forgive me for the times I’ve misunderstood Your character, and please reveal to me more of Your Father heart, that I may love You more. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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