*MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025*
*BIBLE READING: LUKE 11:1-13; JOHN 14:9; JAMES 1:17-27; 1JOHN 2*
*”As for Me, behold, My Covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” Genesis 17:4-5 (NKJV)*
One of the greatest dangers to society is the myriad of misconceptions surrounding the Concept of Fatherhood as a result of a lack of discernment regarding who a father really is. Definitions often determine interpretations. Therefore, we need to start here because Purpose is anchored in Identity.
We have studied and understood from our previous devotionals that the term *”Father”* denotes “Source, Nourisher, Sustainer, Supporter, Founder and Protector.” We have also seen that it additionally means “Progenitor, Ancestor, Founder, Author, Teacher and Creator.” Father is not necessarily a name but is more like a title derived from a function.
On the Premise of the aforementioned points, all fingers point back to the issue of Identity. In the words of Dr. Myles Munroe of blessed memory, *”When Purpose is unknown, abuse becomes inevitable.”* Since Purpose derives its Strength from Identity, it then begs the question: Who exactly is a father?
*(1.) The Father is the Source of the Seed:* In other words, the father is the host of the sperm or life-giving cell. He is the source of human life, while the woman is the incubator of life. This means that life came THROUGH the mother but FROM the father.
*(2.) The Father is the Nourisher of the Fruit:* The seed of every tree is first of all planted and then eventually becomes another tree which bears its own fruit according to its kind. Anything that comes out of the seed is the fruit. Therefore, we, as Authentic fathers, are responsible for nourishing that same fruit. The seed supplies the tree that sustains the fruit, which in turn produces more seed.
According to the Holy Bible, the male is the source of the female: *“For man did not come from woman, BUT WOMAN FROM MAN”* (1Cor. 11:8). Put in a different way, the man becomes responsible for whatever comes out of him. Since women came out from men, men are responsible for their women and how they treat them. This is why anytime a woman goes out with a man, she’s supposed to feel protected physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
*(3.) The Father is designed to protect his Fruit:* Remember that whatever comes out of you is an integral part of you. If a man hates his wife, then he equally hates himself: *”A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, AND THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH.” So they are no longer two, but one”*(Mk. 10:7–8). The Word of God tells us to love our wives as ourselves *(Eph. 5:25–33).* If a man loves his wife, he also loves his own flesh. This is why any man who walks about slapping, kicking, and cursing himself ought to be considered an unhinged lunatic. Fatherhood is indeed a Wonderful Responsibility because you are the progenitor of everything that proceeds from within you. Therefore, you must protect the same since every Genuine father is a protector.
*PRAYER:*
Heavenly Father, we honour and exalt You for being our Father indeed. O Lord, please open our eyes to the True Meaning of who an Authentic father is in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
