Our Heavenly Father                                                 Our Earthly Father
provides us with the beginning of life, ..................... helps start our life on earth
   He is our Creator, Genesis 1:1, 26-28
is eternal God, John 1:1; 8:58...................................is a temporary representative for our lifetime
provides for us, Psalm 23........................................should provide for us, I Timothy 5:8
loves us, John 3:16..................................................should love us, Ephesians 6:1-4
provides us direction, Psalm 23................................should provide direction, Ephesians 6:1-4
provides us discipline, Heb. 12:9-10........................should provide us discipline, Ephesians 6:1-4
                                                       ........................spare the rod, hate our child, Proverbs 13:24
watches over us, Psalm 23.......................................should watch over us
provides us comfort, II Corinthians 1:3-4................ should provide comfort, Ephesians 6:1-4 

So we should lovingly honor our FATHERS, both heavenly and earthly, but so much the more our heavenly Father. We may find many similarities, but there are some important differences. Our earthly fathers are imperfect and often make mistakes. However, our heavenly Father is perfect and knows us completely even in the womb before we are born, Jeremiah 1:5.

And finally our heavenly Father gives us all the time and attention we need through reading His word and praying to Him. Some earthly fathers mistreat, die, desert or just don’t supply the father figure, but our Heavenly Father will never, never leave us or forsake us, Hebrews 13:5.

Let us honor our father and mother, Ephesians 6:1-4.
                                                                           © Ivy Conner