Exgeting the Hymns #15 - Good Good Father

Good Good Father

w/m - Anthony Brown / Joseph Patrick Martin Barrett

I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a good good father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
'Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

Because you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still
Into love, love, love

At first listen to this song, I felt a bit like I was hearing an old record player that was skipping. There is so much repetition, even in weird places like “I, I can hardly speak” that it took a while before I was able to get that out of my mind enough to look at the truths in the song. To be honest, even after we had used this song in worship several times, I was still apathetic at best. The whole song is basically summed up in one truth, “God is a good Father”, and I didn’t think it took 5 minutes to say that.
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But one night, I was introduced to this song in a new way. Far removed from the worship stage or the rehearsal time, I was able to see how powerful this song can be in its simplicity. Late one night, I was driving home after an episode of the most tragic of circumstances in our family’s life. I was trying to console a member of our family who had just had his heart ripped from his chest, and nothing I could say would bring any comfort. For 10 minutes, there was nothing to assuage the agony…
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until he plugged in his phone, opened the music app, and sang through tears the last song I would have picked…Good Good Father. Over and over again on the hour ride home, I saw this simple truth, in this simple song console and soothe his soul. Then I got it. It’s a pretty melody, and that helps, but it is the straightforward, elementary reassurance that our Father loves us unconditionally that makes this song a healing balm in certain circumstances. Not surprisingly, when I hear this song, it takes me back to that night, ​and that truth…

I've heard a thousand sto​ries of what they think you're like. Everyone has ideas of who God is.   But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night. Perhaps a reference to 1 Kings 19 where God spoke to Elijah audibly? Perhaps the writer just thinks of God’s love for him in the midst of trials? And you tell me that you're pleased, and that I'm never alone. When we are serving God, He is pleased with us, and it is true, we are never alone.
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You're a good good Father, it’s who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are. And I'm loved by you, it’s who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am. God is a good Father to His children, and we are loved, not because of who we are, but because He chose to love us. There is nothing in us that is deserving of His love.
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I've seen many searching for answers far and wide, but I know we're all searching for answers only you provide. Some say, “When there are no other answers, turn to God”. That’s terrible advice. We should be turned to God before the questions are even asked. Why seek anywhere else? It’s when we seek other places for answers that we are let down. God provides all we need in His Word, and we should be enveloped in it daily.
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Cause you know just what we need, before we say a word. One of the great things about serving a sovereign God is that He not only knows what we need before we ask, He knew what we would need before day one of creation.
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You are perfect in all of your ways to us. Some have take exception to the vagueness of the “to us” as it could mean several things, but I think it’s clear the writer means “in His dealings with us”, God is perfect. Romans 8 says He works all things together for His children (Those whom He loves and are called according to His purpose).
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Oh, it's love so undeniable I, I can hardly speak. Peace so unexplainable I, I can hardly think. This verse speaks of being overwhelmed by God’s love and the peace He brings. 
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As you call me deeper still into love. The more we go through these heart-wrenching circumstances in life, the more we find His love is faithful.  The goal is that each time a new trial comes, we’ll be more and more prepared to trust in His love and obey His direction.

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