Author name: Paul Cannings

There is a splendid moment in Jurassic Park when world-class paleontologist Allen Grant, who has devoted his life to studying dinosaurs, suddenly comes face-to-face with real, live prehistoric creatures. He falls to the ground, dumbstruck. The reason is apparent. It is one thing to piece together an informed but imperfect image of dinosaurs by picking through fossils and bones. But to encounter an actual dinosaur—well, there can be no comparison. Citation: William D. Hendricks, Exit Interviews (Chicago: Moody, 1993) Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion – Perfect Illustrations: For Every Topic and Occasion. In our Christian walk, we rightfully seek to learn the scriptures, learn to pray, learn to use our spiritual gifts, etc. We are sometimes careful to attend Bible study, small group classes, Sunday worship, and ministry meetings. We seek to consistently function this way because we sincerely desire a closer walk with the Lord. When Moses experienced the glory of the Lord on Mount Zion or his fellowship with the Lord in the tent of meeting, Moses would actually tell God he would rather not go anywhere unless the Lord goes with him, no matter the troubles in the journey ahead. He did not want an angel to lead him, only God (Exodus 33:12:23). When the disciples were with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, all that mattered was how to have the best worship service ever. Every time a person experiences God’s presence, whether it is Isaiah, Paul going to the third heavens, or the elders in Revelation, all that matters is how they can worship and serve. Paul’s experience caused him to count all things lost so that his entire focus would be to gain Christ (Philippians 3:1-8), and that is the only mark he was interested in pressing to (Philippians 3:12-16). Because of these experiences, Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed for us.” (Romans 8:18). This is because Paul wanted to learn how to live in the power of the resurrection (Philippians 3:9-11) so that in his weakness he can experience Christ strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-11). Paul’s experience of Christ in His glory gave him the confidence to do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). When a person tries to assemble a puzzle, they keep the picture before them while the pieces are put together. In our walk with God, we focus on the pieces: Bible study, worship, devotions, etc. We need to first focus on God in His majesty, as David would express in Psalm 8. This would cause us to pray differently, trust with more adoration, worship with more reverence and awe, obey God with more humility, and love others with more grace.

From a human standpoint, I have always wondered what it like was to wait 25 years for one child while being promised, Abraham, you would have a nation with inhabitants like sands of the seashore, something he never saw. How does he not waver in faith (Romans 4:18-21)? He was told to leave a stable life in Haran only to have a nomadic life (moving from place to place, no restroom facilities, no kitchen, etc.), living in a tent throughout Caanan to become then separated from his cousin Lot. He had to fight a war against the two kings of Sodom and Gomorrah to defend and save his cousin Lot. He had to deal with ‘baby mama drama’ because of issues between Sarah and Hagar. He had to kick Ishmael out of his house, whom he loved. He had to endure a drought only to be forced to go to Egypt with a pretty wife when God knew that Pharaoh loved pretty women. How could this be living in the will of God?  God teaches us that Satan is given much freedom because of mankind’s decision (Adam and Eve) to choose to disobey God. This is because the whole world lies in his power (1 John 5:19). Peter calls him “a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8; anxiety, doubt, trials), and he also goes to heaven day and night seeking, like in the case of Job, to make accusations against us (Revelation 12:10). Abraham experiences are not unique. Living in the will of God does expose us to adverse situations. Please note that no matter what individuals in the scriptures experienced, obeying God, God’s purposes were accomplished, and each individual became stronger. The circumstances that encompass them were threatening but never defeating (2 Corinthians 4:7-12) because the Word of God does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).  He promises to protect us (Hebrews 1:14). Christ told the disciples they would have trouble (John 16:33), but He promised never to forsake them (Matthew 28:20). David, with all that he experienced said; “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them……; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord you His saints; for those who fear Him there is no want.” (Psalm 34:7-9).  Satan is going to be Satan.  However, God’s love is greater! The more we are tested, the more we grow in our faith, and the more we are exposed to how “Greater love has no one….” (John 15:7-10, 13). In our pain, God faithfully delivers His promises, which include His protection and power while being refined to become like Him (Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 1:3-9); no loss, just gain (Philippians 1:21).

A little boy, frightened by a thunderous lightning storm, called out one night, “Daddy, come. I’m scared.” “Son,” the father said, “God loves you, and He’ll take care of you.” “I know God loves me,” the boy replied, “but right now, I want somebody who has skin on.” The father’s role is to be and demonstrate God with skin on. Once, a little girl followed her father as he carefully stepped through their newly planted garden. She stepped precisely where he stepped while saying, “Daddy, if you don’t get mud on your feet, I won’t get any mud on mine!” No matter where we go in Biblical history, the role of a godly father has proven to be essential. All the way back to Adam, his lack of leadership leads to sin and death, even in the case of his sons. David’s sin leads to incest, murder, and the death of Absalom (2 Samual 13, 18). The list continues with God writing, “He will restore the hearts of fathers to their children and hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6; Numbers 32:14) Fathers are essential to the development of children. They provide discipline (Hebrew 12:10), training (Ephesians 6:4), and direction (Genesis 18:18), and are also the primary providers for their families (Genesis 2:15; 3:14; Luke 11:11-13), to list a few. When they fear God, their homes are blessed (Psalm 112; 128), and when they lead their homes in wisdom, they establish it forever (Proverbs 24:3-5). Their reverence for God also leads to legacy; “Indeed, may you see your children’s children,” and it determines whether a city is peaceful or not (Psalm 128:6; Proverbs 3:2). They can keep the mud off the shoes and give God skin. So let this Father’s Day serve to remind us men of our need to be the men God has called us to be. If ever there was a time in history that our children needed godly fathers, THE TIME IS NOW!!  HAPPY HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!