At the end of the day the front door opens, and the little boy runs to the door, announcing “Daddy’s home!” It is a joyful reunion as he relishes Daddy’s enthusiastic embrace and affection, eager to hug and to tell his dad all about his day. He knows he is welcome in Daddy’s arms.

Consider the difference with an orphan who may have had years of painful memories that taught him that fathers will not always be there to welcome and embrace. Even when adopted into a loving home, it may be quite some time before he gets used to the fact that he is a real member of the family and that Daddy will actually be there for him. He may be filled with dread when he disobeys or disappoints, that desertion is sure to follow.

A good father does not want his children to be afraid that he might abandon them. Even when correction is necessary, he still wants them to be restored to favor once again. He wants them to be quick to come to him with their joys and sorrows. He speaks words of encouragement and tells them who they are.

One of the most reassuring and comforting statements Jesus ever made was, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

Intellectually, we may accept this as truth, yet in practice, there may be niggling uncertainties that maybe, just maybe, we will be abandoned for our failures. Maybe we will be “hung out to dry”. Maybe we will be judged or rebuked for not fulfilling His will, if we can even figure out what that is.

We are still trembling at a distance more concerned about forthcoming rebukes or abandonment than comfort. So we pray and plead, “Oh God, please, please, please…” out of desperation, rather faith and joy in His everlasting arms.

Why is that? We assign attitudes to God out of our own fear, beliefs, and experiences that He is not guilty of.

Did you ever notice how Job repeatedly stood his ground that he had done no wrong and did not deserve his calamity? Even his friends were unconvinced. They were sure his present suffering was due to paying for his sins.

I wonder if any of us would have been so bold to declare our own righteousness, especially when contending with God.

Being thoroughly secure in our Father’s love is a source of comfort and strength in times of uncertainty and trouble. It provides peace and reassurance that we are not abandoned and that He remains loyal to us. We don’t have to beg Him for provision or His affection or revelation of His will. Instead we learn to rest in the fact that we are truly and deeply loved, knowing that all will be well. Running to Him with open arms, we have the promise of Jesus’ words to all who trust in Him and the reassurance of the Holy Comforter that we are indeed part of His family.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; {and} that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

(Eph 3:14–21 NAS)