Posted on: Saturday, June 18, 2005

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

By H. Murray Hohns

Tomorrow is Father's Day. My dad died in 1973 but I still remember him fondly. He loved me and was proud of me. He taught me to love books, to love reading, to speak well, to be a good worker, to be trustworthy and to respect authority.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote that God always has been and always will be our father. Listen to what God says about you:

"I am familiar with all your ways. I even know the number of hairs on your head. I chose you before the foundation of the world. I knew you before you were conceived. I knit you together in your mother's womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I made you in my image. You are not a mistake. I was there when you were born. I determined when you would be born, and where you would live. Your days are written in my book. My desire is to lavish my love on you. You are my child, and I will never forsake you. You are a child of the most high God. My desire is to establish you, to prosper you and to bless you. I want you to live in abundance. I want you to live a wholesome delightful life where everything flourishes.

"I am not angry with you. I do not count your sins. I want only to bless you. I have a wonderful calling to bestow on you. I have a future and a hope for you, for your good. If you will seek me with your whole heart, you will find me. Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to me, and I will bring them to pass. I will teach you my ways. I will make you the head and not the tail. I will raise you up and put you on top. I will bless you when you come in and when you go out. I will go before and behind you.

"I will make you a light on the hillside, a lovely neighbor, a loving sister, an example to your house, a child that rightly honors her parents. I can do more for you than you can ever imagine. I urge you to be bold and courageous, to fear no one for I am with you. I will protect you. I am your rock, and your high tower. You are my treasured possession. I will shield you from the hunter's snare and the flying arrow. I cover you with my hand.

"I believe in you. I encourage you. Have great plans. Dream big dreams. I put them in you to fulfill, not to frustrate you.

"I will comfort you in all your troubles. I will wash your eyes with tears that you might see. When you hurt, I am closest to you. I am near when you call. I am your healer. I forgive all your sins. I am your redeemer. One day I will wipe away all your tears.

"I send my spirit to convict you, not to condemn you. I want you to get to know me and to seek me. I want you on the high way. You are my child. You have my favor. I am standing at the door of your heart and knocking. Will you invite me into your heart? I am waiting for you. You alone are why I created the world."

H. Murray Hohns of Makiki is an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Expressions of Faith welcomes articles from leaders in faith and spirituality. Write to faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035.