In teaching the disciples to pray, the first thing He taught was that if they belonged to Christ, then God is their Father. They could speak to Him as a “daddy” (Lk. 11:2; Mt. 6:9). What is the benefit of that relationship?
Thomas Watson identifies at least 20 blessings for the one who has God as his Father:
There are many blessings which are noted for the one who has God as his Father. Among them:
(1) If God be our Father, he will teach us. Cf. Is. 48:17; Ps. 71:17; 1 Cor. 2:14; Mt. 10:18-20.
(2) If God be our Father, he has bowels of affection towards us.…He is the Father of mercies. 2 Cor. 1:3.…his love to his children is a love which passeth knowledge. Eph. 3:19. Cf. also Rev. 3:12; Is. 62:3; Ps. 105:14-15.
(3) If God be our Father, he will be full of sympathy. Cf. Ps. 103:13; Jer. 31:20; Is. 57:18; Is. 53:9; Jg. 10:16.
(4) If God be our Father, he will take notice of the least good he sees in us; if there be but a sigh for sin, he hears it.…If there be but a good intention, he takes notice of it. Cf. Ps. 38:9; Is. 38:5; 1 Kings 8:18.
(5) If God be our Father, he will take all we do in good part. Cf. 2 Cor. 8:12.
(6) If God be our Father, he will correct us in measure. Cf. Jer. 30:11; 1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 103:14.
(7) If God be our Father, he will intermix mercy with all our afflictions. If he gives us wormwood to drink, he will mix it with honey. Cf. Dt. 33:24-25.
(8) If God be our Father, the evil one will not prevail against us. Cf. Rom. 16:20.
(9) If God be our Father, no real evil shall befall us. Cf. Ps. 41:10; Lk. 10:10.
(10) If God be our Father, we may go with cheerfulness to the throne of grace. Cf. Mt. 7:9; Lk. 11:13; Is. 63:15-16.
(11) If God be our Father, he will stand between us and danger. Cf. Ps. 27:5; Acts 18:10; Heb. 1:14.
(12) If God be our Father, we shall not want anything that he sees to be good for us. Cf. Ps. 34:10.
(13) If God be our Father, all the promises of the Bible belong to us. Cf. Heb. 6:17.
(14) God makes all his children conquerors. Cf. Ps. 149:8; 1 Jn. 5:4.
(15) If God be our Father, he will now and then send us some token of his love. Cf. Rom. 8:23.
(16) If God be our Father, he will indulge and spare us. Cf. Mal. 3:17; Ps. 103:10.
(17) If God be our Father, he will put honour and renown upon us at the last day. Cf. Is. 25:8; Ps. 37:6; 1 Cor. 4:5; Mt. 25:35-36.
(18) If God be our Father, he will settle a good inheritance upon us. Cf. 1 Pt. 1:3-4; Lk. 12:32; Rev. 21:19; 2 Cor. 5:8.
(19) If God be our Father, it is a comfort in case of the loss of relations. Cf. 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 Cor. 3:22; Jn. 16:28.
(20) If God be our Father, he will not disinherit us. Cf. Rom. 8:28-30; Jer. 32:40.
Words of Grace 