How can I help my dad grow closer to God?
My dad believes in God but hated church, he hates religion and thinks that when he dies no one will know what really happens. He does not believe that Jesus will return in his lifetime. He is 75. He never reads his Bible and refuses to read it at all. He hates going to church and always swears.
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Asked February 11 2014
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Brian Loehr
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Danny Hickman
This is probably a tough row to hoe. I say probably because I don't know these feelings. My parents "looked" saved to me my whole life. I think I would have had some very mixed feelings about my relationship with the Lord if I had gotten born again and one or both of my parents were where Mr. Loehr is saying is his dad.
Of course, the greater concern is for his father's life, but he needs to be comforted for how he feels, for his discomfort in this. (whoever you are)
The interesting thing is this thought: 'Lord why won't you fix this with my dad? Don't you love me? I need your help here; do you not hear me calling out to you?'
That's normal stuff... Listen to the psalmist: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Psalm 13:1
"Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?" Psalm 44:24
"O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?" Psalm 88:14
Listen to Job when he was going through his long ordeal: "Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?" Job 13:24
This is how Psalm 13 ends: I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt bountifully with me.
The best outcome belongs to Job. When God finally answered job, Job had said wayyyyy too much. It's as if God had baited him into this. Job realized it and said, "Behold, I am of small account... I lay my hand over my mouth" (Job 40:4). God challenged him, Job repented, and God blessed him twice as much as before.