The One Who Returns Things
Dads can be such softies, especially when it comes to their little girls. I know this because I live with one. My two daughters had my husband wrapped tightly around their little fingers when they were younger. Just one, “Please, Daddy!” from their little lips was all it took to persuade him. He would do anything for our girls. But He was, and still is, especially tender-hearted toward them if they ever lost something or had it stolen from them. His immediate response is to find a way to replace it, reassuring them that Daddy would try his best to help.
Every time I watch this in action, I see one thing: the Father’s Love - for He is the One who returns things. Things stolen. Things lost. Even things we, ourselves, have thrown away.
We see it in the Bible. Mary and Martha had their brother returned to them when death stole him away (John 11). Joseph’s father, Jacob, thought he had lost his favored son forever, only to see Joseph again in his old age (Genesis 46). And that foolish Lost Son was given back his life, even though he chose to throw it all away for the pleasures of this world (Luke 15).
It seems God can’t help Himself. His Love compels Him. It’s in His very nature to be our Rescuer. Even though He may be angry for a moment, His compassion for His children always wins. Grace steps in and takes over.
But deep inside, we know God doesn’t have to do any of it. We know it doesn’t seem right that God would take the hit for us. I mean, it’s not like it’s His fault. Consider Adam and Eve. It wasn’t God’s fault that they ate the forbidden fruit in the garden. And yet, even before they sinned, He had a plan of redemption in place so that man could be given back what was lost. God took it upon Himself to absorb the cost. And what a cost it was! It literally cost Him His life!
So, no, He didn’t have to, but He wanted to. And amazingly enough, He would do it all again if He had to. He would do whatever it takes because that is the kind of God He is. He is ridiculously merciful and gracious - even to the point that stuns us. He’s the God that reimburses us for our losses, taking it upon Himself to give us back the things stolen, lost, and thrown away. He does this because He’s not just our God, He’s our Daddy. And that’s what daddies do.
Every time I watch this in action, I see one thing: the Father’s Love - for He is the One who returns things. Things stolen. Things lost. Even things we, ourselves, have thrown away.
We see it in the Bible. Mary and Martha had their brother returned to them when death stole him away (John 11). Joseph’s father, Jacob, thought he had lost his favored son forever, only to see Joseph again in his old age (Genesis 46). And that foolish Lost Son was given back his life, even though he chose to throw it all away for the pleasures of this world (Luke 15).
It seems God can’t help Himself. His Love compels Him. It’s in His very nature to be our Rescuer. Even though He may be angry for a moment, His compassion for His children always wins. Grace steps in and takes over.
But deep inside, we know God doesn’t have to do any of it. We know it doesn’t seem right that God would take the hit for us. I mean, it’s not like it’s His fault. Consider Adam and Eve. It wasn’t God’s fault that they ate the forbidden fruit in the garden. And yet, even before they sinned, He had a plan of redemption in place so that man could be given back what was lost. God took it upon Himself to absorb the cost. And what a cost it was! It literally cost Him His life!
So, no, He didn’t have to, but He wanted to. And amazingly enough, He would do it all again if He had to. He would do whatever it takes because that is the kind of God He is. He is ridiculously merciful and gracious - even to the point that stuns us. He’s the God that reimburses us for our losses, taking it upon Himself to give us back the things stolen, lost, and thrown away. He does this because He’s not just our God, He’s our Daddy. And that’s what daddies do.
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