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Father's Day - Ben
Sermon Summary
Ben reminds us that God, as the perfect Father and ultimate fixer, loves us unconditionally, fixes what needs fixing in His perfect timing, and invites us to trust and find peace in His presence rather than always trying to fix things ourselves.
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Today is a day to celebrate fathers and father figures, but even more, to celebrate our perfect Father in heaven. Whether our earthly fathers have been present and loving or absent and flawed, God stands as the ultimate example of what it means to be a good Father—one who knows us, loves us, and desires our good. Many of us, especially dads, have a natural urge to fix things—whether it’s a broken toy, a leaky tap, or a problem in someone’s life. This desire to fix is often rooted in love, but it can also come from a need to be seen as capable, needed, or heroic. Yet, sometimes, the best way to love someone isn’t to fix their problems, but simply to be present with them in their pain and uncertainty.
Love, as God defines it, is not about always jumping in to solve every issue. It’s about being present and committed to the good of the other, even when that means holding back from fixing. There are moments when our attempts to fix can actually hinder growth, healing, or the deeper work God wants to do in someone’s life. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is to stand with someone in their struggle, acknowledging the mystery and pain, and offering our presence rather than our solutions.
God, our Father, is the ultimate fixer. He has already fixed the greatest problem—sin—through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. He is continually at work in our lives, healing and restoring us through the Holy Spirit. And one day, He will bring about the ultimate restoration, uniting heaven and earth in perfect love and community. Yet, God also knows when to step in and when to wait. Sometimes He answers our prayers for help immediately; other times, He asks us to wait, or even says no, because He sees a bigger picture and knows what is truly for our good.
In the waiting, God invites us to fix our thoughts on Him. The promise is that as we trust Him and keep our minds set on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. Whether we are called to be present for others, to bring our own brokenness to God, or to wait patiently for His intervention, we can rest in the assurance that our Father is with us, loving us, and working for our ultimate good.
Key Takeaways
1. The urge to fix things for others often comes from a place of love, but it can also be driven by our own need for validation or control.
True love sometimes requires us to resist the impulse to fix and instead offer our presence, humility, and understanding. This challenges us to examine our motives and to love others in the way they truly need, not just in the way that makes us feel useful.
2. God’s love is demonstrated not just in His power to fix, but in His willingness to be present with us in our pain.
There are times when the most Christlike response is to stand with someone in their suffering, without offering solutions or explanations, simply sharing the burden and the mystery of their experience. This kind of presence can be more healing than any quick fix.
3. Our Father in heaven is the ultimate fixer, having already dealt with the deepest problem of sin through Jesus.
He continues to work in our lives, restoring and healing us, and promises a future where all things will be made new. Trusting in God’s timing and methods, even when they differ from our own, is an act of faith and surrender.
4. Sometimes God answers our prayers for help immediately, but other times He asks us to wait or even says no.
This is not a sign of His absence or lack of love, but rather of His perfect wisdom and commitment to our ultimate good. In these moments, we are invited to trust His heart, even when we do not understand His ways.
5. While we wait for God’s intervention, we are called to fix our thoughts on Him.
The promise of Isaiah is that God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfastly set on Him. In seasons of uncertainty, pain, or waiting, this peace becomes our anchor, reminding us that God’s presence is our greatest comfort and hope.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: God Is the Perfect Father and Ultimate Fixer
Scripture:
Galatians 3:26 (NIV)
'So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.3.26
Devotional:
God is not only the best example of a loving father, but He is also the ultimate fixer—He knows exactly what we need, even before we ask, and has already addressed our deepest need by sending Jesus to conquer sin and death. He continues to work in our lives through the Holy Spirit, healing and restoring us, and promises to one day bring all things together in perfect unity. Unlike human fathers, whose abilities are limited, God’s wisdom and power are limitless, and His timing is always perfect. We can trust that He is always working for our good, even when we don’t understand His ways.
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to trust God as your perfect Father and ultimate fixer, rather than trying to fix it all yourself?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You that through faith in Christ Jesus, I am Your child. Remind me each day that my worth is not in what I do, but in belonging to You. Help me to live with confidence, walking in the love and freedom that comes from being Your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2: Love Means Being Present, Not Always Fixing
Scripture:
Romans 12:15 (NIV)
'Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.12.15
Devotional:
True love is not about rushing in to fix every problem, but about being present with others in their pain, discomfort, or uncertainty. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to simply stand alongside someone, sharing in their struggles without offering solutions or quick fixes. This kind of presence requires humility and patience, and it reflects the way God is present with us, even when He doesn’t immediately change our circumstances. Consider how your desire to fix things might sometimes come from your own needs, rather than what is truly best for the other person.
Reflection:
Who in your life needs your presence more than your solutions right now, and how can you intentionally be with them this week without trying to fix their situation?
Prayer:
Lord, give me a heart that shares in the joys of others and comforts those in sorrow. Teach me to walk in love, to celebrate with gratitude, and to weep with compassion, just as You do with us. Amen.
Day 3: God’s Timing in Fixing Is Always for Our Good
Scripture:
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.55.8-9
Devotional:
God, in His perfect love and wisdom, sometimes chooses not to fix our problems immediately—or even at all—because He sees the bigger picture and knows what is truly best for us. When we pray and don’t receive the answer we want right away, it’s not a sign of God’s absence or lack of love, but rather His deep commitment to our ultimate good. Even in the waiting, God is present with us, sharing our burdens and offering comfort. We can trust that His “not yet” or “no” is always rooted in His love for us.
Reflection:
When have you experienced God saying “not yet” or “no” to your prayers, and how can you trust His love and wisdom in that area today?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, Your Word reminds me that Your thoughts are higher than mine and Your ways beyond my understanding. Too often, I want things fixed right away, yet You gently call me to wait, to trust, and to believe that Your timing is perfect. Thank You that all You do is for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4: Fixing Our Thoughts on God Brings Perfect Peace
Scripture:
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
'You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.26.3
Devotional:
While we wait for God to act or fix things in our lives, we are invited to fix our thoughts on Him, trusting in His character and promises. This act of focusing on God, rather than our problems, brings a deep and lasting peace that the world cannot offer. No matter what uncertainties or frustrations we face, God promises to keep in perfect peace those who trust in Him and keep their minds steadfastly on Him.
Reflection:
What is one practical way you can fix your thoughts on God today, especially in the midst of something unresolved or uncertain?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me rest in the truth that You work all things together for my good, in Your way and in Your time. Give me patience, peace, and a heart full of faith as I wait on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5: We Are Invited to Bring Our Brokenness to God
Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.11.28-30
Devotional:
God welcomes us to come to Him with all our brokenness, needs, and the things we cannot fix ourselves. He desires for us to reach out, ask for His help, and trust Him with the outcomes. Even when we are in a season of waiting or confusion, He invites us to experience His presence and peace, knowing that He is the ultimate fixer who cares deeply for us. We don’t have to carry our burdens alone; God is ready to share them with us and work in ways we may not expect.
Reflection:
What burden or area of brokenness do you need to bring honestly to God today, trusting Him to carry it with you?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with all my weakness and brokenness. You see the parts of me that are weary, hurting, and in need of Your healing touch. I lay down every burden, every fear, and every failure at Your feet. Amen
Day 6: His Love is Always Present, Even in the Waiting
Scripture:
Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LAM.3.25
Devotional:
Waiting is never easy. Whether it’s waiting for an answer to prayer, for healing, for provision, or for direction, our hearts often grow restless. We want movement, clarity, and resolution. Yet, the waiting seasons of life are not empty. They are full of God’s love. Waiting becomes holy ground when we recognise that God is working in the unseen, shaping us, preparing us, and holding us steady in His love. The delay is not a sign of absence but an invitation to deeper trust. If you find yourself in a season of waiting today, remember this: you are not forgotten, and you are not alone. His love is always present—faithful, unfailing, and enough for this every moment.
Reflection:
When you look back, how have you seen God’s goodness revealed after a season of waiting?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to seek You above all else, knowing that You never disappoint those who place their trust in You. Help me not to grow restless in the waiting and to rest in Your goodness, knowing You are always near. Amen.
Day 7: Be Encouraged in the Waiting
Scriptures:
Psalms 27:14
'Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.27.14
This verse reminds us that waiting is not passive—it is an act of strength and faith. David, who wrote these words, knew seasons of danger, delay, and disappointment. Yet he also knew the faithfulness of God. His encouragement to us is simple but powerful: be strong, take heart, and keep waiting on the Lord. The same God who guided David is guiding you. His timing is never late, His promises never fail, and His love never leaves. He will deepen our trust, renew our strength, and prepare us for what is coming.
Reflection:
In what area of your life is God asking you to “be strong, take heart, and wait for Him,” and how can you choose trust instead of impatience today?
Prayer:
Loving Father, Your Word reminds me to wait on You, to be strong, and to take heart. Help me, Lord, when my patience wears thin and my heart feels weary. Teach me to trust Your timing, knowing that You are faithful and never late. Fill me with courage to hold onto hope and strength to stand firm in Your promises. As I wait, may my heart rest in Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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