What does it mean to be a good father? Is it more difficult in today’s culture than it was decades ago? Who do we model being a good father after? Do we use our own earthly father as a role model? How can we use God as our model for being a good father?
Being a good father is challenging and a work in progress. Some of us may have had bad father influences growing up. Others may have had good father influences. Yet, each of us must make our own choice regarding the type of father we will be.
I had a good Dad, even if not a man who followed Jesus. He worked hard to provide for my two sisters and I. He wasn’t always at our events due to working, but he made the ones he could. We weren’t abused. Yet, he had his faults. I saw those as I grew up and committed to myself not to repeat those.
Jesse was a property owner. He owned a flock of sheep and a home. His sons helped tend the sheep, including the youngest, David. He was also considered a righteous man. How do we know? He was invited by the prophet Samuel, at God’s direction, to participate in a sacrifice and the following celebratory meal.
Was Jesse perfect? No. We know that no man is perfect. Yet, Jesse had done the best he knew how to provide for his family and worship God. For those of us today who want to be good fathers, all we can do is the same. We are to love our wives and families, and be the example of worshiping God for them.
I pray we all choose to worship God. I pray we seek good examples to emulate in our lives. I pray each one of us love our families, teach them about Jesus, and provide a good example of worshiping God. Worship God. Follow good examples. Love your family. Teach them about Jesus.
1 Samuel 16:3 “Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.”
Marty Pressey 