The Father's Love
Believing in God's love is essential to experiencing His forgiveness, mercy, and comfort in times of trial.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the challenge many face in perceiving God as a loving Father due to painful experiences with earthly fathers. He encourages believers to recognize and embrace the depth of God's love, which is often overlooked despite their knowledge of Scripture. Wilkerson reminds us of God's merciful and gracious nature, as described in Exodus 34:6-7, and urges us to trust in His love during trials. He highlights God's readiness to forgive and His abundant mercy, encouraging a correct understanding of God's character when approaching Him in prayer. Ultimately, the message calls for a deeper appreciation of the Father's love that is available to all His children.
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Many people find it difficult to think of God as a loving Father. They see Him through eyes clouded with the pain of past experiences with an ungodly father or stepfather.
Thousands of Christians do not believe God loves them because their earthly father abandoned, wounded, or grieved them so badly. I pray that this message will speak not only to them but also to those of you who have not yet discovered the depths of our heavenly Father's love!
Many of us know the Scriptures and the theology behind God's great love for His children. Yet very few of us have learned to appropriate that love and we are not enjoying the benefits of having it.
Listen to how God described Himself to Moses:
"The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . ." (Exodus 34:6-7).
When we are in the midst of our trials, we forget what God has said about His own nature. Yet, if we would only believe Him in such times, we would have great assurance in our souls. From cover to cover, the Bible speaks to us as God's voice, revealing to us how tender and loving He is.
He is ready to forgive at all times. "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).
He is patient with us, full of tenderness and mercy. "Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord" (Psalm 119:156). "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy" (Psalm 145:8).
When you go to the Lord in prayer and worship, be very careful what kind of image of God you take into His presence! You must be fully convinced of His love for you and believe that He is all He says He is
Sermon Outline
- God's Nature as a Loving Father
- Why We Struggle to Believe God's Love
- The Benefits of Believing God's Love
- Great assurance in times of trial
- Forgiveness and mercy in prayer and worship
Key Quotes
“The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . .” — David Wilkerson
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” — David Wilkerson
“Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Take time to study and understand God's nature as revealed in Scripture.
- Be careful not to bring a negative image of God into His presence in prayer and worship.
- Believe in God's love and forgiveness to experience great assurance in times of trial.