Father Knows Best

Could a classic TV show bring you closer to God?

Older folks remember a program from the 1950’s called “Father Knows Best.” It was about insurance agent Jim Anderson and his wife, Margaret, raising their son and two daughters in Springfield, a typical Midwestern community.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications recalls it as, “one of a slew of middle-class family sitcoms in which moms were moms, kids were kids, and fathers knew best.”

Some modern descriptions of the program call it “idealized” and “overly rosy.” I remember watching it as a boy and thinking it was normal—a lot like my world.

Plots were simple and often centered around a moral lesson. And although dad (played by Robert Young) wasn’t always right—and sometimes lost his temper—the show portrayed a family stability envied by many today.

Well hold on just a minute! What’s a TV show got to do with one’s relationship to God?

Good question. And the answer is in the title.

Even though Jim Anderson didn’t always know best, Christians have a Heavenly Father who does. The trouble is we don’t always listen to him.

The Bible is full of people who, like Frank Sinatra, did it “my way.” Jacob, Moses, Jonah and Saul of Tarsus are a few that come to mind. They all thought THEY knew best.

But through trial and error, they discovered “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God, it turns out, knows what he’s talking about!

What we usually do is rely on our friends’ opinions. Just like one up and coming leader in the Bible named Rehoboam. He ignored God and he split his father Solomon’s kingdom.

The reason the Bible records so many people’s lives is so we can learn from them. Learn mistakes to avoid and learn the benefit and blessing of obeying God.
We need to learn to ask God, our Father for direction. Only he knows what is best for us!

What’s interesting is that many Christians do ask what God wants them to do. They listen in church. They read their Bibles. But when God answers, they don’t follow through!

Maybe the answer isn’t the one they wanted. Often they hope God will give them permission to do what they want to do anyway. Even if it will hurt them.

But God loves us more than that. The life he calls us to live is the path of blessing. When he forbids or denies our requests it’s usually to prevent us pain--or worse.

Sadly, so many people seem intent on going their own way. And that proves God is right about the human heart. The Bible says, “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”

Often I’ll watch this process happen in someone’s life and wonder, “What does it take for us to learn to obey God? How much do we have to suffer? How many lives will be ruined?”

Usually it takes hitting the “bottom of the barrel.”

Thankfully God is patient. When we return to him with our lives shattered, our hearts broken and our pride humbled—he forgives us through Christ and gives us a new beginning.

Finally we learn that our Heavenly Father really does know best.

Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey what I command.” And then he asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

Christian, what are you waiting for? Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!