“Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, ‘Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.’” (2 Chronicles 18:30, NIV)
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” -Billy Graham.
In our anchor scripture, the king of Aram was preparing for battle against Israel. Understanding the importance of leadership, he instructed his commanders to focus their attack on one person alone—the king of Israel. He knew that as long as the king remained standing, the army could recover, regroup, and continue fighting. If the king fell, discouragement and confusion would spread through the ranks, making defeat almost inevitable.
A similar picture emerges in the story of David and Goliath. After David defeated Goliath, the Bible records: “When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:51-52, NIV).
Goliath was more than a soldier; he was the Philistines’ champion, source of confidence, and symbol of strength. When he fell, their courage collapsed. On the other hand, David’s victory inspired the Israelites, transforming fear into boldness and leading them to triumph.
In many ways, fathers play a similar role within the family. They often carry the weight of leadership and fight countless unseen battles to protect, provide for, and support their families. They face spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and social challenges, often making sacrifices that go unnoticed. Many of the opportunities, stability, and blessings we enjoy today may be the result of battles our fathers fought on our behalf.
One family experience illustrates this reality vividly. Late one night, around 2 a.m., our youngest sister became critically ill and struggled to breathe. At the time, transportation was unavailable, and every attempt to find a vehicle proved unsuccessful. Without hesitation, my father, dressed only in shorts and a singlet, carried her with the assistance of my senior sister and ran to a hospital nearly an hour away.
By God’s grace, they arrived in time, and she received the treatment she urgently needed. She remained hospitalized for a week. During that period, my sister stayed by her side while my father worked tirelessly to pay the medical bills and visited them every day.
Our younger sister was too young to remember that experience and only learned about it years later. Had she judged our father solely by his mistakes, she would have missed the sacrifices he made on her behalf. This is true of many fathers. They fight battles their children may never fully understand and make sacrifices that often go unnoticed.
This does not mean fathers are perfect. Some have made mistakes, while others may have failed in significant ways, leaving painful memories behind. Yet God understands every hurt and disappointment. He can heal wounded hearts and restore what has been broken.
Therefore, do not allow bitterness to take root. Choose forgiveness and allow God’s grace to bring healing. While your father may have fallen short in some areas, there may also have been struggles, sacrifices, and burdens you never saw. Scripture calls us to honour our parents, not because they are perfect, but because of the place God has given them in our lives (Ephesians 6:2).
Charles Wadsworth wisely observed, “By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he is wrong.”
As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us take a moment to appreciate the fathers and father figures who have stood in the gap for their families. Let us honour the sacrifices they have made, the burdens they have carried, and the battles they have fought, often in silence, for the benefit of those they love.
To all our gallant fathers, we say thank you. Your labour has not gone unnoticed. Your sacrifices have made a difference. Your commitment has helped shape lives, families, and generations.
Ayekoo!
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and father figures.
Long live all fathers.
Written by: Dcn Joshua Aidoo
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