As a Father Loves His Children
Pastor Tan Thai
This sermon, based on Psalm 103:11-13, explores how husbands and wives, parents and children express love within the family. Through biblical examples such as David's relationships with Michal and Abigail, the pastor emphasizes that wives should express gentle words and respect, while husbands and fathers should demonstrate mercy, forgiveness, and compassion as God does.
The sermon opens by analyzing fundamental differences between men and women in their thinking, emotions, and communication styles. The pastor points out that women typically view issues through the heart with emotion, while men use cold logic. These differences directly affect two important aspects of family life: how spouses express affection and how parents show love to their children.
The pastor emphasizes that two important things wives should give husbands are gentle, tender words and respect and honor. Scripture teaches: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). The pastor illustrates through the story of David and Michal: despite ten years of separation, Michal lost her husband's love and remained childless because of one mocking, sarcastic remark when David worshiped God with joy. In contrast, Abigail with skillful, gentle speech and respect was able to save her former husband from David's anger and transform his life.
The pastor then presents three qualities husbands and fathers must demonstrate: mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. Based on Psalm 103:11-13, the pastor explains that just as God is merciful, forgiving, and compassionate to those who fear Him, husbands and fathers must show mercy to their wives and children through kind words, tender actions, and kindness, not through authoritarian power but through counsel and encouragement. The pastor uses examples from Les Misérables about Bishop Myriel with Valjean, Abraham with Lot, and especially the father figure in the story of the prodigal son to illustrate love, forgiveness, and mercy.
The pastor concludes by noting that although men typically demand justice, logic, standards, and measures, marital love, spousal affection, and parent-child relationships cannot be built on these demands. As mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal said: "The heart has its reasons which reason know nothing of." The sermon ends with the message that fathers need recognition and appreciation for their efforts, while wives need concrete actions and freedom from burdens.