Adam, a first-time father, looked down at his newborn son with love. Adam and his wife had made mistakes in the past and suffered greatly for it, but this child, their firstborn, was a chance to start fresh. The new family didn’t have the support of friends or relatives, but they did their best, and figured it out as they went along.

When the family was blessed with another son a few years later, they were so grateful to the Lord, and excited to watch their boys grow and play together. The family of four worked hard, loved God, and they were in it together. 

Sometimes, though, the sins of our past have a way of catching up with us.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were banished from the Garden of Eden, they plunged the world into sin. They couldn’t have known at the time just how far-reaching the consequences of this event would be for their family—that their son Cain would one day grow jealous of his brother Abel’s favor in the eyes of the Lord, and commit the very first murder.

Adam, the first man and very first human father, has much to teach today’s fathers about the consequences of our actions and the absolute necessity of obeying God. 

Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Lessons we can learn from Adam include:

Obedience:

God wants us to freely obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His love. A man who follows and obeys the Lord can be a child’s first example of obedience.

Integrity:

Fathers with integrity know that nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Even when no one is around, God sees our actions; men with integrity act accordingly. 

Responsibility:

Godly fathers take responsibility for their own failures and shortcomings, rather than blaming others for their mistakes. The ability to accept responsibility is not a show of weakness, but a sign of strength.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Adam, the first human father, had no blueprint for fatherhood. Thank you for the wisdom and knowledge we can glean from fathers before us in your Holy Word, the Bible. Uphold fathers, Lord, and open their eyes to your love, and your good plan for their family. Give them the support they need to follow you, and to humbly obey your commands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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