The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 5

 

[Jesus said] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV).

 

I can remember when I was little I looked at my dad and thought he was so much bigger than I was. That belief was often proven in the way he protected and cared for me. Of course as I aged and grew I recognized that there were imperfections and limitations. However, I never lost that unshakable confidence that whatever might happen, he would always be able to take care of it. Later, when I was married and had my own sons I suppose that same strength was seen in me from them. It wasn’t until they became adults that I discovered they were not blind to my frailty and weaknesses. Thunder though I might from the pulpit, they saw “dad” with all of his struggles. That became especially clear when I became sick and no longer could physically do the things I might have done previously.

 

However, this “Father Almighty” we confess in the Apostles’ Creed is no ordinary father. He is El Shaddai. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel called God their “Father.” They also used many other titles and descriptions to identify God. For example, they called God their “rock,” their “fortress,” and their “shield.” In many passages he is also called “God Almighty” (El-Shaddai) in recognition of his awesome power and dependability. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes his relationship with God as his Father, and he teaches us to trust God as our Father in heaven.

 

With the Apostles’ Creed, we rightly call God our “Father almighty.” Unlike our earthly fathers, our heavenly Father is perfect and unlimited in his power. Our earthly fathers may sometimes make promises they can’t keep. Our heavenly Father not only makes promises but also keeps them all because of his almighty power and enduring love and faithfulness.

 

God also hears and answers our prayers. Knowing what’s best for us, our Father will always provide what we need. That’s a truth worth knowing and believing!