“This is the day that the LORD has made;
  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm  118:24
 
It is a glorious day to come and worship the Lord together.  How thankful we are that we can do so.  In this confused and chaotic world so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ can not.  Thank you Lord for this precious privilege!
 
Today we have the opportunity to thank God for the fathers He has given us.  God has given fathers (mothers, too) a great responsibility to raise the children He has blessed us with.  Parents are not alone for we have God’s instruction Book and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide.  So we diligently seek God’s wisdom day by day through prayer and studying the Word.   
 
Scripture tells us,
“Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6
 
Parents, Proverbs is rich in instruction.  In fact in Proverbs 1:8 through 9:18 you will find many words of wisdom to teach a child.  
 
In particular, Proverbs 4:3-9 blesses my heart.  Here a father is telling his son of the instructions he received from his father when he was young.  This is a tender and loving father who learned from his own father.  The whole chapter is a father’s counsel in how to live well by following Wisdom.
 
“When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me;
‘Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom!  Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of  my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all  your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.’”
 
The father then goes on to say to his son,
“Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, 
And the years of your life will be many.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.”  Vs. 10-13 
 
To you fathers I close with Psalm 127:3-5a
“Behold children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is His reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them…”
 
All praise to our heavenly Father who has given us all things in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen