Today’s Encouragement is, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9 NLT
Our Father –
Jesus clarified the relationship between God and His people, which is that God is our Father. There are numerous references to God as the father of the nation and his people as his children throughout the Old Testament. However, even when Jesus was young, there was no doubt that he saw God as His very own Father. (Luke 2:49). Much more intimate and personal than the father of the nation.
But wait, there’s more! “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Galatians 4:6 NLT
Abba is the familiar, loving, and intimate form of the word for father, similar to ‘Daddy’. And because we are His dearly loved children, we can, in love and affection, call Him Daddy!
I admit it’s a challenge for me. Seems too informal… maybe even disrespectful. But consider this: a child sees their mom or dad returning from work and runs to them to get a warm hug. What will that parent be thrilled to hear from this child? Mommy! Daddy! There’s no need for anything else! One word expresses everything!
And this is our privilege, our position, our right, as His dearly loved children, His people, to run to Him joyfully and cry out His name, “Abba, Daddy, Our Father!”
Daddy, we thank You for choosing us, making us Your own children, Your people. Help us to run to You, joyfully, our Abba, our Daddy!
Abba Father
Lou Fellingham
Today’s Encouragement 