The Good Father Who Is Near

How often are we afraid to allow Jesus to come near? We may feel ashamed and unworthy of getting too close to Him. Fear of what He might ask of us could also keep us apart.

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Mary Harker.

My father was a hard-working farmer his whole life. In his eighties, he even drove a truck to haul things for others until he could no longer manage it. He always put others before himself. A favorite memory is when Dad traveled three hours round-trip to rescue me when my car died, no questions asked. He willingly helped however he could.

A good earthly father is a true blessing to his children, but I understand that not everyone is so blessed. Some of us did not have fathers present during our childhoods. When my husband was only three, he lost his father in a horrible car accident. Others of us had fathers who were unable or unwilling to be the fathers we needed.  But regardless of our earthly dads’ qualities, our Heavenly Father is perfect and provides exactly what we need. Even in trying times, God’s goodness and closeness remain constant.

I recently read the gospel about Jesus walking on the water. Something I hadn’t noticed before jumped out at me. A storm arose, and the disciples were in trouble, “. . . they [the disciples] beheld Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat, and they were frightened” (John 6:19). Alternate gospels say the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, so that explains their fear. 

How often are we afraid to allow Jesus to come near? We may feel ashamed and unworthy of getting too close to Him. Fear of what He might ask of us could also keep us apart. We fear the Lord’s request could seem impossible, and we can see no way through it. Like Jonah, we run away from daunting assignments, such as forgiving the unforgivable, launching a new project, risking our hearts in a new relationship, or ending an old one.

In those fear-producing situations, we can stand on this promise: “The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Psalm 103:8). God is like a good father who understands His children and knows us better than we know ourselves. He remembers creating us from dust (Psalm 103:13-14), so He knows every fiber of our being.

We need not fear getting close to God. If we draw near Him with pure and humble hearts, He will draw near to us (James 4:8,10). In the story of Jesus walking on the water, when Peter’s faith wavered, Jesus saved him from drowning, calmed the sea, and stayed with the disciples instead of leaving them to fight the storm alone. Jesus stepped in to protect them and gave them peace, and He will do the same for us.

How do we draw near to God? Sometimes, He can seem out of reach and too big for us to wrap our heads or arms around. We can’t see or touch Him, His voice is inaudible, and our phones don’t reach heaven.

Here are some practical suggestions that help me feel closer to Jesus as a friend:

First, go (alone) to a quiet place and pray. Be honest when telling the Savior what is in your heart. Talk to Him as you would talk to your best friend. That is all prayer is. It may help to sit across from an empty chair and imagine Jesus sitting there, listening to you. After sharing your heart, listen to His gentle reply.

Second, read and meditate on the love letter we call the Bible. We have His Word to encourage, comfort, instruct, counsel, and discipline us. A good father does all those things. God stays by our side to help us navigate life. God’s Word is living and active. We can read something new each time we open it.

Third, journal what you are experiencing and what God says to you. Doing so helps you process your thoughts and journey. It will also encourage you and remind you of what God has brought you through.

Last, engage in a community of like-minded believers. God doesn’t want us to live in isolation. Whether attending weekly church service, a small group, or connecting regularly with a close friend, we need one another.

I offer these four steps as suggestions, avenues to connect with Our Heavenly Father, who wants to be near you. Beloved, as His child, God loves you unconditionally and forever. He desires to stay close to you, the one whom He loves.

Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know how this devotional has touched your heart. We would love to hear from you!