1 Children obey their fathers for various reasons. There are times when they obey out of fear of punishment. There are times when they comply because they know it is right for a child to submit to a parent's authority. Then there are others where they obey so they can have favor over another sibling. But the best form of obedience is when they act simply because they love the delight of their father. They rejoice in His smile, his approval, his warmth, and his joy. There is no greater pinnacle than to receive commendation from God, to see the pleasure that he takes in His children. Why would I or any one of you ever be worthy to receive praise from God? You beam with delight when earthly fathers smile upon you or when your boss commends your work, but reflect on the magnitude of Almighty God commending you, praising you, even acknowledging you. We'll be swallowed up in the joy of our Father, who alone is our boast. I recently witnessed this first hand in my own home. While playing indoor hockey with one of my daughters, who probably enjoys my company as much as anyone, she hurt me with one of the sticks. I got angry, and though I quickly told her I was fine and that I was sorry for getting upset, our time was ruined. She didn't want to play, disappeared for a time, and when she reappeared, was still upset. After some digging to see what was going on, I eventually realized her sadness wasn't from hurt feelings because of the anger I showed. It was that she had, for a time, lost the joy and delight of her Father, and this hurt her on a deeper level than any punishment I could give. My hope is to cultivate, in my own life and in the life of my family, a deeper delight in God. Not simply for His benefits, but in His person- that on that Day my greatest joy will be, as a son, in his delight and praise, because I have been joined to the person and work of The Son, Jesus Christ.
I
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