“A Father Carries His Son.”

I love this photo. The dad is proud of his sons. And clearly his sons look happy to be with their dad. Even though he is wearing an old, tattered shirt and living in a mud hut, this poor, Haitian dad is doing the best he can for his boys. He is holding them close and keeping them safe. The boys are being cared for by a loving father. He is “carrying them.”

Deuteronomy 1:29-31, “Then I said to you, do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord, your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

God carried the Israelites out of Egypt. They had been slaves for generations, but God delivered them. On their way out of Egypt, He kept them safe as Pharaoh’s mighty army pursued them. He parted the Red Sea and provided a means of escape. He ultimately destroyed the evil army chasing them. God fed them. He provided manna for them to eat. And in their darkest times, God sustained them. He provided the Israelites with direction as they wandered through the desert. He saw them through to the promised land. “As a father carries his son,” God carried them. And He “carries” us today.

What a powerful example of how a Godly father should “carry his child.” When a son or daughter is not able to do something on their own, a good father carries them. When a son or daughter is trapped in a world of trouble, a good father helps deliver them. When a son or daughter is surrounded by enemies, a good father fights for them, and protects them. A Godly father provides for his children. He loves his children. Children are not afraid when they are under the protection of a loving father.

On this Father’s Day as we honor our dads, do not forget that the greatest father of them all is carrying you! He loves you. He wants what’s best for you. He will deliver you. Do not be afraid! He will provide for you. He will sustain you. Our loving Father God is carrying you, just like he did for the Israelites. He will see you through to the promised land.

Happy Father’s Day!

Jesse Ostrander