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Bragging Right(s)

I seem to find God in the most unexpected places, both in the world and in His Word. I encountered and fell in love with the Father amid all the woes, deviations, admonitions, and restorations of the book of Isaiah, and Jesus the Son in the Gospels and the behind-the-scenes tell-all of the book of Hebrews. I got to know the Holy Spirit through the simplicity of everyday living. Becoming acquainted with these personalities of the Godhead has inarguably been the greatest influence on my life and trajectory, not to mention the unquantifiable impact it has had on my self-perception. I have no qualms in admitting that I am a Daddy’s girl through and through, both to God the Father and to my earthly dad.

In recent studies of the Bible books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel, I have been amazed at how much of the fatherhood of God is revealed in these narratives and throughout the rest of the Bible. Many view the God of the Bible as a stern, austere Being Who keeps a long list of human dos and don’ts that if transgressed, result in dire consequences. Many see Him as a celestial cop who lies in wait at obscure spots and other hidden intersections on life’s speedway, ready to pounce, pursue, pronounce guilt, and proffer a penalty at the drop of a hat or the slightest violation of the law. They perceive Him to be critical, harsh, unbending, hard to please, and quick to punish. This perception is grossly skewed to say the least; that is NOT the God Who took time to create the universe and humanity, giving His all so the latter could be His co-creators and managers in this life and that to come!

I have developed a profound admiration of fathers of various categories, understandably because I had a phenomenal earthly father and other wonderful father figures, but mostly because I have an exceptional heavenly Father. All of the earthly fathers have exemplified genuine fatherhood, and my life has been greatly enriched and established on the right path because of them. My divine Father exceeds them all by far, being a Parent par excellence. Here are some fatherhood characteristics that have made me a Daddy’s girl for life (I know we’re not supposed to brag, but I’ll admit that I’m a shameless braggart when it comes to God and people I admire. There is no room for modesty and shame when you’re the love interest of a God of great fame, Whose irreproachable character confers on you a name, forever transformed, you’re irrevocably changed!):

My Father created me with intention, attention, and precision; I am His masterpiece1

He knew me before I was born, having preplanned and prepared my glorious destiny2

He birthed me into a rich royal heritage with a sizable inheritance3

He is amazingly gracious, compassionate, slow-tempered, rich in mercy and goodwill4

Quick to overlook and forgive5

Heals my broken heart and wounds of life6

Rejuvenates me and restores things that were lost7

Teaches, guides, gives advice and direction8

Gives me the best of the very best; the cream of the crop9

Disciplines and course-corrects me10

Trains me for life and impels me to become the best version of myself11

Protects and provides12

Need I say more?

God is not gender, racial, or otherwise biased, nor does a person’s biological age interfere with His love, commitment, and doting nature toward them. Those who become His children through their recognition, acceptance, and God-prescribed relationship with Jesus Christ earn bragging rights as His children.13 We brag right by employing our bragging rights in God, exulting in His fatherhood and in the tremendous people and blessings He bestows on us!

(If He is not yet your Father, what are you waiting for??)

So if God is your Father, let the bragging begin!!

“Don’t let wise people brag about their wisdom. Don’t let strong people brag about their strength. Don’t let rich people brag about their riches. If they want to brag, they should brag that they understand and know Me. They should brag that I, the Lord, act out of love, righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of bragging pleases Me,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Dedicated with love and profound honor to my magnificient heavenly Father, my amazing earthly Dad, all my wonderful spiritual fathers and mentors, and all the other marvelous fathers out there – YOU ROCK & make fatherhood look good!!

**For questions on how to get to know God personally as YOUR Father through Jesus Christ, or for other inquiries, please email: graced@thewordofhisgrace.com.

Timeless Favorites 🎶 For Your Father-Loving Pleasure

Good, Good Father (Chris Tomlin)

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=58-twWe3yvU&si=JTyvMeNBYpxCQ4Mj

I Love You Daddy (Ricardo & Friends)

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3OqHl-x4eTM&si=gD68aHawEjk7F1zP

He Knows My Name (Maranatha Singers)

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60&si=3T0NBRTIsOAVJAx5

Bibliography

  1. Ps 139:13-16; Ephesians 2:10; Isaiah 49:1-2; Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 4:24 ↩︎
  2. Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 49:1; Ps 139:13-16; Romans 8:29-30 ↩︎
  3. 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:11-14; Exodus 19:5-6; Revelation 5:10; Romans 8:17; Psalm 16:5-8 ↩︎
  4. Psalm 103:3; 8-14; Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Psalm 86:5 & 15; Nehemiah 9:31 ↩︎
  5. Psalm 103:3; 8-14; Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Psalm 86:5 & 15; Nehemiah 9:31  ↩︎
  6. Psalm 147:3; 34:18; Isaiah 30:26; Jeremiah 30:17; 33:6; Job 5:18; Isaiah 61:1-3 ↩︎
  7. Psalm 23:2-3; 26:8; 36:8; 84:6-7; Acts 3:19; Isaiah 61:2-7; Joel 2:25-32; 1 Samuel 30:8-20; Isaiah 54:1-17; 49:19-23 ↩︎
  8. Proverbs 4:1-13; Ps 94:10-12; 25:4-5; 32:8; John 14:26; 16:13-15; 1 John 2:20 & 27 ↩︎
  9. Psalm 81:16; 103:4-5; 147:14; Joel 2:24; Job 29:6; Deuteronomy 6:10 & 23; 26:9; Isaiah 1:19 ↩︎
  10. Hebrews 12:3-9; Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:12; 13:24; Psalm 89:30-34; 94:12; 119:71 & 75; 2 Samuel 7:14; Jeremiah 10:24; ↩︎
  11. Psalm 18:32-35; 144:1; 2 Samuel 22:35; Ephesians 6:10-11; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 12:1-2; 13:14; Colossians 3:9-10; 2 Peter 1:5-9; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 John 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:19-26; Titus 1:6-9; 2:2-14 ↩︎
  12. Psalm 103:6; 104:10-18; 23:1; 34:10; 84:11; 91:1-7; 46:1; 32:7; 34:7; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10 ↩︎
  13. John 1:12; 1 John 4:12-17 ↩︎

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