What is required of a man to be a good father? Part II

Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'”  1 Kings 2:1-4

This Sunday is Father’s Day and in honor of fathers, we are focusing on David’s last words to his son spoken upon his deathbed.  David had not lived a stellar life, and he certainly had not been a shining example to his children of what an obedient Christian father looked like.  In spite of his mistakes, David still had some important words of wisdom to be shared. 

What is required of a man to be a good father?

From David’s last words we learn what is required of a man to be a good father, the first of which is Presence.  Other traits required to be a good father are:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Purpose  - …so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Deuteronomy 6:2

• Effective fathering is intentional in its action.
• Hanging out with the kids is great but knowing what they need creates purpose.
• What do you want your son or daughter to know and be?

Probity - He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

• Here for you may be a new word as it was for me but it is vital to being the father your children deserve.
• Probity means being of integrity and uprightness; honesty.  Children learn to trust when parents are honest with them.  A child should be able to trust his/her father without question.
  Children who hear their father lie learn a behavior which can affect their entire life.

Passion - You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5

• Passion is a love that will not be denied.
• An expressed love from a father is different than from a mother.  It is more aggressive and tactile.
• Fathers play differently.  Fathers tickle more, they wrestle, and they throw their children in the air (while mother says . . ."Not so high!").

Tomorrow we will continue on with the rest of the traits required to be a good father.  No one is perfect in all these areas. David wasn’t perfect.  He made a lot of mistakes but we are still learning from him today.  We all make mistakes, but chances are we are doing some things right some of the time!  God will lead the way and help us make the right choices to be the best fathers if we are open to His guidance.  We will stumble, but we have to get up and keep going.  Our children are dependent on it!

Scripture to Claim:
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17