I will be a Father to you
and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.
- 2 Corinthians 6:18
Of all the names of God that I have known and personally experienced, His name Abba Father is the one that is dearest to my heart.
My physical birth did not automatically make me a child of God… it was my spiritual birth that gave me that privilege.
As Paul writes in Romans 8:14-17, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
I became a daughter of God my heavenly Father when I gave Him the keys to my heart and asked Him to sit on the throne as Sovereign Lord of my life.
Gradually I discovered the deep joy of calling God as Abba.
Abba is an Aramaic word that is often among the first words that a Jewish infant first learns to speak, and so it comes naturally to a child to call his father Abba, a truly endearing word. Yet even adults address their fathers by that name. However, when they call their fathers Abba, it is not done with a sense of familiarity. It is done with a sense of intimacy and respect.
When the disciples of Jesus asked Him to teach them how to pray, the prayer He taught them began with these words, Our Father…
I dare say that it is only in Christianity where God wants to be known and called as Father. The gods of this world want to be feared… my heavenly Father draws near, and makes Himself known as our Dear Father.
When the disciples of Jesus asked Him to teach them how to pray, the prayer He taught them began with these words, Our Father…
I dare say that it is only in Christianity where God wants to be known and called as Father. The gods of this world want to be feared… my heavenly Father draws near, and makes Himself known as our Dear Father.
When I began calling God as Abba, in the worship and devotional times I spend with Him, and even in my journal entries, I developed a nearness and closeness with Him that I never had before.
What a privilege I felt I had… to be able to call the God of the Universe, my Abba.
He is a very personal God, not one who is far or distant.
The truth is that my relationship with my Abba Father reminds me so much of my own relationship with my earthly father.
I called him Papa… and really, that beautiful name means all the world to me. He was a gentle soul, never spoke harshly, never demanded obedience of us his children. I loved to obey him, for whatever he asked of me made perfect sense. He was considerate, kind, and so trustworthy. He would never hurt us in any way. His kindness made me want to obey and follow anything he said.
Having a father like that makes a daughter grow up feeling so loved and valued and treasured.
Just like the kind of love Abba Father has for us.
And today, what a privilege it is to bless my third grandson, Joyful One, as he celebrates the six month of his first year.
I've been in Manila for nearly a month now, and I miss hugging this cuddly little boy, who is always laughing and smiling!
Just six months ago with my heart weighed down in anxiety over the circumstances of his birth, I clearly heard my Abba Father whispering to me, The baby's name is Joyful One.
And what a perfect name it was, as his birth fell on the Feast of Tabernacles, also called The Season of Our Joy.
How beautifully everything falls into place. God has done that so often in my life, and my heart overflows with joy and thanksgiving.
My grandchildren, March 2015
Joyful One, Forerunner and Full of Hope, Peaceful One
Dear grandson, my Joyful One,
As you celebrate your sixth month of life, I am so glad that you have a good earthly father who loves you so much. Your Papa models for you what a father was designed to be, a father who will show his children what the heart of their heavenly Father is like.
Your heart is soft and tender, so full of joy and gladness.
I love it when you laugh at just about anything. Your heart overflows with joy.
You are truly a joyful one.
And I pray today that you will discover at an early age what it is like to have God as your very own Abba Father.
May your heart hunger to know God more, and may you be drawn to a very close and intimate relationship with your heavenly Father.
May your heart desire to walk in love and obedience before God.
And I declare that as a young man, you will lead many others to know God as their own Abba Father.
May you experience often the warm embrace of the Father. I bless you dear child with security and spiritual insight, knowing that you are safe and secure in the arms of your Abba Father.
What an awesome privilege it is for me to have you as my very own grandson! You are truly special to me, a special gift handpicked by my very own Abba Father, to bring delight and joy to my heart!
Here are two special songs for you, dear Joyful One:
In the garden where our Savior prayed
Our salvation was secured
As He prayed, "Not My will but Yours be done."
Who can know the torments of the cross
Where His grace and love outpoured
The Suffering Servant is God's only Son
Abba Father Lord God Almighty
Holy Father, we give You glory
And in our darkest moments
With shadows closing in
The Spirit helps His family to pray
He gives us understanding
He helps us in our need
He gives us the ability to say
Abba Father Lord God Almighty
Holy Father, we give You glory
1 comment:
Beautiful post Lidia . . . I really didn't have a strong relationship with my earthly father, he was absent from my life at a very early age, but it was all together different with my step dad, it was the BEST! I always felt so blessed to have him in my life, he is my best friend. About a year and half ago, we notice my step dad repeating and forgetting things, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s late December 2014 and is now living in assisted home care. I feel he is now giving his "Final Performance" in his faith. He definitely knew his scripture and had a strong love for the Lord. Loving all the sweet pics of your beautiful grandchildren. Blessings xo
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