In my years as an evangelist, I have traveled all over the world talking to many people about their understanding of God. Some of the stories that stand out the most are from orphans—people who either lost a parent or were abandoned at an early age. These stories resonate with me because when I was a young boy, my dad died. I felt completely helpless. My dad was gone. My mom was sweet, and a godly Christian, but she couldn’t fill the role of a father.

Whether you were an actual orphan, a member of the foster care system, or someone whose parents just weren’t around all that much, you can understand the loneliness of a child with no biological, real parent. God understands this pain, too. God wants to be a Father to us – an Eternal Father who will never leave or abandon us. That is why in Psalm 146:9 God is referred to as the “father to the fatherless”.

I invite you to take a survey of your heart. Have you truly accepted Jesus as your Heavenly Lord? Have you allowed Him to fill the void you may have in your heart? Where our earthly fathers fall short, God our Father will never fail us. He will never leave us or forsake us. We are His precious children. He is our Father, and we love Him.

This is Luis Palau.