The Fatherhood of God (4)

Beloved, live upon this. Here is the love of God the Father, who is content to be a Father even in our sinful condition. If be a Father to us, as to Christ, then let not our hearts be discouraged in afflictions, persecutions, temptations. God was a Father to Christ in his desertion. God leaves us to ourselves sometimes, and we fear we have lost his love. Did not he leave his own Son upon the cross—‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt. 27:46)—and yet he did not cease to be his Father. For persecution from enemies: was not Christ's whole life filled up with persecution, and yet a Son? For temptations: you are tempted, and think you are not one of God's children. Satan tempted our blessed Saviour, that he might be a merciful Saviour, and know how to succour you in times of temptation. Therefore, be not discouraged. Say not, when you are deserted, persecuted, afflicted, tempted, God is not your Father; for by that reason you may argue, God was not Christ's Father. God was Christ's Father, notwithstanding his desertion for a time, and notwithstanding his afflictions in the world, his persecutions of all sorts by men, and notwithstanding his temptations, God was his Father still. This we must observe, 'father' is not a relation today, gone tomorrow. It is an eternal relation. 'Dum percutis, pater es; dum castigas, pater es,’ wrote: ‘While you strike us, you are our Father; while you correct us, you are our Father.’ Parents are tender to their weakest and sick children; and God is most tender of all to them that are weak. We cannot be in a condition wherein, on any sound grounds, we may run from God.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Heavenly Conference, pp. 97-98
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