Christian Writers Circle

Everlasting Father
by Judy Hitson

Matthew 6:9 NKJV In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Our Everlasting Father is eternal. We are instructed to pray to Him as our Father in heaven and to keep His name holy. I’m reminded of Acts 17:28 NKJV “for in Him we live and move and have our being…..This is a mystery only God can reveal to us.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV was our key verse last month when I wrote on the “Prince of Peace. We also see in this verse “Everlasting Father” as part of His name.  Now the Lord speaks to my heart of Everlasting Father as “Our Father in heaven,” Matthew 6:9 NKJV.

There are many facets of God as Father through the Scriptures. Let us focus on God as our Father in heaven. He is everlasting, all present, all powerful, all loving in the midst of this fallen world.

At this writing, in the area where I live, we mourn the loss of life after a recent school shooting. It is tragic that shootings are more frequent in our nation at schools, parks, malls, grocery stores, parking lots, bars, cars, houses, apartments and the like. We think of these occurring somewhere else but not where we live. This evil event in our area was shocking and heart wrenching. Yet for those who commit such violent acts, we discern hardened hearts. We read of this in Matt. 13:15 NLT For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

The thought of the father of lies came to mind. John 8:44 NLT For you are children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

There is a stark contrast between the goodness of our heavenly Father and the evil of the father of lies. It is hard to understand how people can be deceived to believe lies of the enemy and miss the truth of God. 

Prayer: Everlasting Father, help us overcome the father of lies. Help us walk in Your love and truth through the Person of Jesus Christ, by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.