Our Father Knows Best

Our Father Knows Best

 

“your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).

The Television Series 

In the last six years of the 1950’s, a hit television series portrayed a middle class American family – father, mother and three children. “Father Knows Best” became so popular that even when Robert Young left the series in 1960 and production stopped, reruns continued for another three years. The Anderson family was described as “truly an idealized family, the sort that viewers could relate to and emulate.”*

It is hard to imagine “Father Knows Best” would be as popular now. There is no longer an idealized family. The word family itself has been redefined. In a comedy series, which “Father Knows Best” was, viewers often laugh with the characters because they do relate to them. It is more likely that a series of this type would now be laughed at, not with. To keep in step with the changes, television is producing far different family comedy series.

 

Although some fathers are selfish, disinterested and even cruel toward their families, there are still many fathers who believe that responsibility for taking care of their families is of utmost importance. There are still families that can relate and fathers who emulate Jim Anderson.

 

Jim was a dad his family could trust. His wife and kids could talk to him. He was there when they needed him. He did what he could to provide for them.

The official “Father Knows Best” website cites occasions when he took over the paper route for his son when his son was sick and chose to see his daughter in a school play rather than attend an important meeting. Those were just a couple of examples of times that Jim Anderson put his family first. Jim Anderson did not claim to be perfect, just involved in a family he loved.

*Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946-Present (Twentieth Anniversary ed.). New York: Ballantine Books, p. 338.

The Highest Example of a Father

Those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord become part of God’s family. God is then not only our Creator, but our Father as well. Jesus, His Son, revealed His Father to the world. In what has been called the model prayer, He also gives us understanding of why He is the Father we can trust above all other fathers. God truly loves His family. He is intimately involved with each child. He is perfect – the highest example of a father who knows best.

Our Father is all Powerful

 “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).

Jesus made a distinction between God, the Father and every other father when He said, “pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven.” God’s name is holy. Heaven is His home, earth is His footstool, and He is totally in charge.

Children naturally trust their fathers. Until and unless the dad proves himself untrustworthy, a child thinks his dad is the best, the bravest and the biggest. If a child has climbed to the top of a tree, gets stuck and scared, he calls for his dad. If his dad says, “jump”, the child must trust his dad to catch him.

We may find ourselves out on a limb. Sometimes we know exactly why we are there. We climbed up on our own. Occasionally we wonder how we got there. No matter how we came to be in a situation in which we need to be rescued, we can be sure He is there and powerful enough to catch us. He can, and has, performed miracles to get some of His children out of these kinds of situations although His will may be accomplished by demonstrating His power in another way. He may climb up with us and lead us down by His hand.

However He does it, His power is limitless and we can trust Him.

Our Father Provides

“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:11-12)

Unlike our dads, our Father in heaven doesn’t have to go to work every day to provide for our needs. He doesn’t have to open a savings account for our college fund. He doesn’t have to nervously watch the stock market to make sure his money is safe. He doesn’t have to worry about losing our homes to foreclosure.

Our Father in heaven made everything and everything is at His disposal. He wants us to recognize that fact, ask Him for what we need, and thank Him for the provision.

Our Father Protects

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13)

One of the most important things we need from our Father is protection. Children are helpless. This is different than the out on the limb scenario. We need Him to go before us and prevent us from giving in to Satan’s temptations to be out of God’s will and out of HIs fellowship. That’s why He sent His Son – to deliver us.

God, our Father, never changes. He has and always will have our best interests in mind. Whatever circumstance a child of God finds himself in, he can be sure that his Father knows best.

© Stephanie B. Blake

May 2013

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