Our Father’s Faithful Love

Did you like the story of Misha and his father? I did, and that is why I wanted to share it with you. Did you notice how Papa loved Misha and wanted to spend time with him, even when he was tired? Misha loved his papa, too—but sometimes other things were more exciting. Like running down the street with his friend, Vova. The problem was that Vova wasn’t a faithful friend. He led Misha into doing wrong things—things that Misha needed to be ashamed of. Do you remember what they were?

Papa’s love showed by his faithfulness. Misha hadn’t been faithful, but his father didn’t stop loving him for it. No, he wanted to help Misha to become a faithful boy and have a clear conscience again. Even when Misha lied and said that nothing was wrong, his father didn’t get angry. Instead he told him that he had seen everything that had happened and it made him very sad. Have you ever made your father sad? How does it make you feel? Misha realized that he had done something wrong when he saw how sad his father was. When he began to cry, Papa was there to comfort and help him to make things right again.

Maybe your parents don’t always see when you’ve done wrong. But there is someone who does, and he is a faithful Father. Just like Misha’s papa, God wants to spend time with you and teach you what is good and right. Sometimes you run off and do something wrong and think no one notices. But your heavenly Father sees. And it makes Him sad. Do you know why? Because everything we do wrong will be judged before the King of kings. Nothing will be hidden then. That is a scary thought!

Do you know that God really wants to help you so that you won’t be ashamed to stand before Him? But the things we do wrong cost a lot to fix up. Misha thought it was a lot of money that Papa paid back to the blind man. But do you know that our sins cost our heavenly Father a lot more than a hundred kopek? Sins have to be paid by death, and so God gave up His own dear Son to die for us. Isn’t that wonderful? We must believe in Jesus, and obey Him, just like when Misha obeyed Papa and ran to give the coins to Sasha. Then you will have a clear conscience and be happy again!

When your conscience pricks you next time, remember that you have a faithful Father that loves you. Tell the truth and ask Him to help you to make things right. Then you won’t need to be ashamed.