Art Story | Lion of Judah: “Steadfast Father”

Artist: Michelle Bentham

Size: 30×40 Canvas

Medium: Acrylics on Black Canvas

Date: September 13, 2021

This painting is one of a triune series called, “Lion of Judah,”three paintings representing God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It reminds Michelle that God is her Steadfast Father. His steadfastness became the foundation of her life,His Son her anchor, and His Holy Spirit the guiding force in life.

Scripture teaches that God is Good. He is a Good Father. Steadfast in the storms of our life, stable, faithful, and the only source of truth and pure blessing we will ever know. In Matthew 7, Jesus is teaching the sermon on the mount, encouraging the people to trust God by asking, knocking, and seeking through prayer. He says when we ask we receive, when we seek we find, and when we knock the doors we knock on will open for us. He demonstrates the goodness of God as our father when He says,

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” – Matthew 7:11 NASB

As the artist reflected on this truth, she thought about fathers and their children. A good father blesses his children, and covers them. He doesn’t mind sharing his glory with his kids because they are his glory.

She believes that the endless mystery of God as a Triune being settles deeper within as the understanding grows from Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He wanted His Father to share both the unity and the glory they share as God with us.

We cannot steal God’s glory. We’re not that magnificent. We can only enjoy the blessing, the favor, and the unity that comes with it as we embrace our role in His Kingdom Family as both Sons and Heirs in Christ. Honor the Father.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” – James 1:17 NASB