Monday Music is a short (10 min, 15min today, because the song is a bit longer, but worth it!:)) stop at the beginning of the work week to be guided through a time of scripture, contemplation and prayer. I hope you’re encouraged and strengthened by it. Click the follow button or leave a comment. I’d love to connect! – Seth

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PRAYER

Loving Father, Abba, Daddy…I love you. I need you. Thank you for always being there. You are my constant, my joy, my encourager, my cheerleader and the tender whisper at the end of the day. Please speak to my heart and send Your powerful Spirit to fill me today and always. I love knowing that I am loved by You. Amen.

LYRICS

VERSE 1
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

CHORUS
You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

VERSE 2
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching
For answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

CHORUS
You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

BRIDGE
Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

A THOUGHT & SCRIPTURE

I love that our God, the God of the universe, also bears the title of “Father.”

Isaiah 64:8 says, But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

We are the work of His. hand. Wow. Being the work of someone’s hand requires close contact. It reminds me of a blog I wrote about a time when my son needed me close by and he completely trusted that I would be there. Being present in someone’s life requires intimacy, time, a relationship, perseverance, commitment. Those are powerful things to us humans. That type of closeness changes lives. If another person offered those things to you, you’d have a best friend for life who would stick it out with you through anything, and who wouldn’t want that? It’s priceless. Our God has promised us just that.

The closeness and relationship aspects are huge, but another layer is at work in that scripture. He’s not just close and dedicated to the relationship but we are the “work” of His hand. Our Father God wants to mold us, shape us, grow us, lead us and make us like Himself.

If you’ve ever watched a potter work with clay, it can be dizzy-ing and rough at times. The clay needs to be pushed and pulled and stretched to make it into a beautiful work. If you’re like me, being molded isn’t always a painless experience and sometimes I just want it to stop. The truth, though, is that I’m not the potter. I’m not the creator. And many times I, we, humans like to think that we are and we just want to forget that there is a potter who has His hands on us at all times and knows exactly what we need.

God is an artist and father that doesn’t make mistakes. He knows us intimately and He’s good, oh so good. This is the hope that helped my sister-in-law escape an abusive earthly father who wrecked and destroyed the term of “father” for her in her own life. He treated her so badly. He didn’t want to see her grow and be strong and beautiful. He wanted to tear her down and make her less. I pray that this song is an encouragement to anyone who had a poor earthly father. The term “father” can be restored and be given new life in the vision and knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father who is accessible and loving and welcoming to all. No matter what you’ve done or what you’ve been through, He loves you. He likes you. He wants you. Completely and fully. He has forgiven your sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus and He wants you to be with Him forever in Heaven.

We have a good, good father. It’s who He is.

VIDEO – I love that they recorded this song with the worship leaders growing together in ministry and learning as a community. A friend of mine attends 10,000 Fathers worship school and here they share some passionate, Jesus-focused worship time with us. Sing, pray, listen and let God speak to your heart.

PRAYER

Good, Good Father, we worship you. We praise you. We adore you for who you are. You are our Prince of Peace and complete joy. Thank you for your forgiveness and knowing exactly what we need. You are perfect in all of Your ways. Help us to wake up every day knowing that You are constant, You are our Father and that You love us. Amen.