8 ways a father can demonstrate his love
One of the most enjoyable responsibilities the Lord has ever entrusted to me is the privilege of being a father. It’s a responsibility that has blessed me, stretched me, exhausted me, while at the same time taught me to appreciate more about the depth of our Heavenly Father’s love.
Throughout my years of fatherhood, there have been a variety of lessons I’ve been learning. One key lesson has been to set up your weekly schedule in such a way as to block off times that are reserved just for your children. I have also learned the value of doing that with my yearly schedule as well, for the sake of vacations and other special events.
One special event that I reserved for each of my children during their high school years was the privilege to fly somewhere with me and do something fun together wherever we travelled. That approach worked well for all of my children, except my son Jay. Jay and I had booked a trip for April 2020, but as we all know, several weeks before that it became clear that our trip was going to have to be cancelled.
Life went on and sadly, a replacement trip never happened. We both wanted to do something together, but his schedule with school and work didn’t really allow it, until now. A few weeks ago, we decided to block off time to finally make good on what we had planned to do years earlier, and this past week we drove to the great state of Tennessee.
We rented a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, went zip-lining and golfing, ate a bunch of delicious food, and had a blast together. It was long overdue, but I’m grateful for the time we were able to spend. I’m particularly grateful for the time we spent talking as we drove.
As a father, it has always been my desire to reflect the heart of God the Father in my parenting. I don’t have the capacity to do so perfectly, but I’m grateful for the Lord’s guidance and instruction as He continues to teach me what reflecting His heart really looks like. His word is filled with helpful counsel.
The final chapter of the prophetic book of Hosea offers a powerful example of our Heavenly Father’s heart toward His children. It’s an example worth emulating, and in Hosea 14, we’re shown at least eight significant ways a father can demonstrate sincere and genuine love.
1. A godly father offers their child a way back when they stumble.
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.” (Hosea 14:1)
The book of Hosea is a challenging book to read because it’s obvious that, at the time it was written, Israel was at a severely low point in their relationship with God. They worshipped idols. They indulged in all kinds of debauchery. They ignored God’s counsel. They even forgot the history of God’s goodness to them.
But in the final chapter of Hosea’s book, as it is coming to a close, what do we see? We see a God who graciously invites Israel to return to Him. Though they stumbled into all kinds of sin, the Lord still wanted them to be close to Him. There’s a lesson for us in God’s invitation to Israel.
Every earthly father will experience high and low moments with his children. Your children are going to do some things you expect and several that you might not see coming. If they rebel or break your heart, will you still offer them a way back?
I was recently told of a father who made it clear to his children that they were cut off from him because they stumbled in areas he disapproved of. To date, he has not offered them a way back into a restored relationship with him.
I’m grateful that our Heavenly Father offers us the way back.
2. A godly father is eager to forgive.
Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2)
While Israel was still in rebellion, the Lord anticipated their eventual return. Through Hosea, He even gave them to words to say when they eventually came to Him with repentant hearts. They were invited to ask the Lord to take away all their iniquity. This is an invitation we should heed as well.
Because our Heavenly Father is eager to forgive, He offered the only means by which our iniquity could truly and permanently be taken away. Jesus, the Son of God, one with the Father, was sent to atone for our iniquity by shedding His blood on the cross. Through faith in Him, we are completely forgiven. The payment He made is sufficient to cover our rebellion and mistakes.
As our Heavenly Father has made it clear that He is eager to forgive us, so too should our children be shown that we are likewise eager to extend forgiveness toward them. This is the appropriate way to respond toward them, particularly if we are grateful for the forgiveness we’ve received through Jesus.
3. A godly father delights to show mercy.
“Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” (Hosea 14:3)
During Hosea’s lifetime, the people of Israel seemed to be counting on neighboring nations like Assyria to protect them. They were also looking for help from their military might (horses), and the divine blessing of the idols they had fashioned with their hands. For each of these examples of idolatry and misplaced affection, Israel deserved judgment.
But in the day of their future repentance, they will acknowledge that their salvation cannot be found in the idols of this world. It’s only in the Lord that those who need divine mercy can actually find it.
To show mercy is to choose not to give someone the punishment they deserve. In Christ, we have been shown that mercy because the righteous wrath of the Father was placed upon Him instead of being placed upon us. As recipients of that mercy, we’re called to show mercy to our children as well.
4. A godly father does not withhold his love.
“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.” (Hosea 14:4)
What does it look like to love someone “freely” as God promises to love the nation of Israel? When one freely loves someone, they seek what is best for that person without holding back. They give, even at great personal cost to themselves. They place the needs of the other person higher than their own needs.
Our Heavenly Father has not withheld His love from us, and His calling upon us is that we would love others with that same kind of love.
One example of this that will always stand out to me was the example set by my friend’s father-in-law. Years ago, my friend experienced kidney failure and needed a transplant. His father-in-law signed up to be the donor. That’s love.
5. A godly father sets his child up for success.
“I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.” (Hosea 14:5-6)
As I observe my own life, there are certain things that have gone well and certain things that need improvement. With gratefulness, I express gratitude to the Lord for the successes He has granted to me, and as I show my children what the Lord has been showing me, I have often said to them, “I hope you excel in life far beyond anything I have been blessed to personally experience.” I want them to do well. I want them to succeed.
The Lord wanted Israel to succeed as well, and He set them up for the kind of success He desired for them. He watered them like dew in a dry climate. He is making His children beautiful and rooting them deeply in Him so they can grow and flourish. God the Father sets His children up for success.
6. A godly father offers his protection and provision.
“They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.” (Hosea 14:7)
Israel had spent time and energy seeking to live under the protective shadow of powerful nations, but the Lord prophetically revealed that the day was coming when they would return to Him and dwell beneath His shadow. He would protect His children. He would provide for them. He sets this example for us to follow as we provide care for those whose lives are entrusted to us.
A godly father protects His children and seeks to provide for their needs. The majority of social problems we’re seeing in our culture often connect directly to fathers who don’t protect or provide. But godly fathers make a point to lead, shepherd, defend, and care for the children God has entrusted to them.
7. A godly father offers his wisdom.
“O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.” (Hosea 14:8)
In their desire for “answers”, Israel historically made a habit of turning to idols. But in this passage, the Lord demonstrates His kind and loving heart for them just the same. As He looks forward to a future day of their repentance and restoration, He reminds them that no idol can offer them the answers they need. He is the one who answers prayer. He is the one who looks after them. He is the one who provides wisdom. He is the one they need to call upon.
For the entirety of my adult life, I have made a habit of calling my father on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes we talk about things that matter. Other times, we chat about topics that don’t really matter all that much. Frequently, we tell each other things we’ve already said a million times before. Still, I’m grateful for the conversations we have, and I’m grateful for every piece of wisdom he’s blessed me with.
The wisdom a godly father passes along to his children will outlive him. And when we’re considering what to share with our children, let’s make a point to give them a glimpse of the work the Lord is doing in our lives and the things He has been teaching us in recent days from His word. There is no greater form of wisdom we can supply than that.
8. A godly father leads by example.
“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” (Hosea 14:9)
The ways of the Lord are right. He desires to see His children walk in those ways. I’m grateful that our Heavenly Father is consistent and the epitome of integrity. He does what He says. His words are true. The very traits He expects to see in us are character traits He has first displayed to us.
When Jesus walked this earth, He did so, in part, to give us a glimpse of the heart of God. He showed us what it looks like when the sinless Creator interacts with His creation. He invites us to follow His lead.
Fathers, please know that you’re being copied. The instruction you give is valuable, as is the example you set. If your instruction and example both align with the heart of God and the counsel of His word, you will have a powerfully positive influence on the children you’ve been blessed with.
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I’m grateful for the way the Holy Spirit inspired Hosea to end his prophetic book. This book ends with a powerfully helpful and hopeful look at the heart of God the Father and His desire to demonstrate His love toward His children, regardless of the season of life they were presently in. These are lessons we would do well to internalize.
© John Stange, 2025