Like Our Father: A 5-Day Study by Christina FoxSample

Day 5:

I once had a job where my employer just left me on my own to figure out the job without any help or assistance. I stumbled my way through it, feeling inefficient and ill-equipped the entire way. Not only that, but having to face my work without training and necessary resources brought anxiety and fear to my days. Needless to say, not being trained was reflected in my work!

I’ve had other jobs where my employers wanted me to be successful and fruitful in my work. They mentored me and showed me step by step how to do the job. They walked beside me until I was ready to do the task on my own.

Our Father in heaven not only loves, cares, and provides for us, but He also teaches and trains us. He shows us the way of righteousness and then helps us to walk in it.

This means that God does not leave us as He found us. He not only saves us by grace and brings us into His family, He also teaches us how to live as His children. Through His Spirit, He works in us to make us into image of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. He trains us in righteousness. He helps us use our gifts for His kingdom. He equips us to bear fruit for the Kingdom.

We might think of an adopted child who leaves behind an orphanage and a life of poverty to join her new family in their home. She is given new clothes. She learns the rules and ways of how they live. She receives a first-class education. She is provided opportunities to stretch her wings and try new things. Her parents provide whatever she needs to be successful in life. Likewise, God not only teaches us how to live for Him, He provides us all that we need to do so—everything we need!

This means our Father has all the resources at His disposal and through His Spirit, He will provide them to us. He doesn’t call those who are already capable; He makes capable those He calls. This means that when we don’t know what to do, we can trust Him to provide the wisdom we need.

Even more, He will finish His work in us, making us like Jesus Christ. When it seems like there’s so much more to learn; when it feels like we stumble more than we walk forward; when the fruit is slow to grow, we are assured that God always finishes what He starts. We are His children, and He promises to complete the work in us. We will be sanctified. We will be like Jesus.

Take time today to look at the work God has done in you thus far. Give thanks to your faithful Father in heaven.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are some areas of your life God is at work in right now, changing you and making you new?
2. How does it encourage you to know that God will not stop his work in you?
3. What does it mean to you that God gives you everything you need to live for him?

To read more from Christina Fox, check out her book, "Like Our Father"