chapel

I think God enjoys revealing His presence in our daily lives. A timely song on the radio, an unexpected encounter, a phone call at just the right moment, a Scripture that speaks to an exact situation… I probably miss more of God’s activity than I recognize.

In the home of our new friends in Nazareth, Susan volunteered me to speak in chapel where our host served as school chaplain. “What do I say, Lord?” I silently prayed as Mrs. Haddad agreed to Susan’s offering.

img_7944It looked like the opportunity would pass me by as our friend Hunter picked us up a little late the next morning and we got stuck in the busy traffic of Jesus’ hometown. As we entered the auditorium and sat on the back row, Mrs. Haddad was speaking to a couple of hundred middle school students. I had no idea what she was saying as Arabic was the language spoken, but at the conclusion of the talk she led a familiar song in English.

Good Good Father was written by Pat Barrett, who grew up and attended a high school not far from our house. Chris Tomlin recorded the song and many listeners have taken comfort in the important message we all need to hear: And I’m loved by You…

I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Hunter leaned toward me and whispered, “I taught them this song last school year.” I really thought chapel was over, but Mrs. Haddad announced she wanted their friend Hunter to introduce someone from America who wanted to share a brief message. As we walked down the aisle, I couldn’t help but smile… realizing the two stories I planned to tell reflected the song we had just sung.

“We have a good, good Father! The first time we visited your country, my son was your age. We went to the Sea of Galilee (they call it Lake Tiberius) and he saw a boy fishing from the shore with his father. ‘Dad, I want to catch a fish,’ Taylor said as he pointed. ‘Go ask the father,’ I replied. My son, who is twenty years older now and still loves to fish, would have never caught a fish in your country had he not asked a kind father… who extended his pole and watched a young foreigner pull in a catch. Our good Father wants us to ask.”

Mrs. Haddad translated and the students smiled – kids everywhere love stories. I’ve written about the second fish story I told… which contains a message of faith. Our good Father desires young and old to truly believe in His Son. He is perfect in all of His ways…

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened… If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11

“Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’” John 6:28-29

Good, Good Father ©2014 worshiptogether.com songs

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