"Rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'." Romans 8:15b
The name 'Father' has the ability to conjure up all sorts of emotions. To some it may offer feelings of security and love; to others, betrayal, or hurt. No matter what your image of a father may be, God the Father loves and cares for his children.
One of my favorite childhood memories is riding up on top of my dad's strong, broad shoulders. This is not unlike the way that the Bible describes God the Father. He is a defender of the vulnerable and he carries the weak. God is even described a father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5).
When we love and believe in Jesus, God's son, we are adopted into God's family. We become his sons and daughters. With joy, we can cry 'Abba, Father' because he has become our spiritual Father. With hope, we can put our trust in his sovereign ways because he cares for us. Remember that God the Father is not like an earthly father you may have experienced. He does not treat us unfairly or mock us for our fumbled attempts to follow him. Nor does he toss aside our requests while attending to more important business.
Jesus himself spoke these words of the Father in Matthew 10:29 and 31, saying, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care... so don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
We may not know why God waits to answer a specific prayer or why he feels distant for a time, but we do know that he is watching over us. We are incredibly important to God our Father. In joy or in sorrow, we can cry out to our Father in heaven and he will hear us.
TAKE ACTION:
Picture yourself as a small child once again. Think of the candid way you asked questions, let your thoughts spill out, and even felt confused at times. Now, think of yourself this way in relation to God, your Father. Picture him standing there next to you, smiling down at you, holding your hand as you walk side by side. Then pray to him verbally or in written form with this image in mind; ask him questions, tell him about your day, share your struggles and thank him for your joys.
- http://www2.aws.org/dailydevotions/we-cry-abba-father -
The name 'Father' has the ability to conjure up all sorts of emotions. To some it may offer feelings of security and love; to others, betrayal, or hurt. No matter what your image of a father may be, God the Father loves and cares for his children.
One of my favorite childhood memories is riding up on top of my dad's strong, broad shoulders. This is not unlike the way that the Bible describes God the Father. He is a defender of the vulnerable and he carries the weak. God is even described a father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5).
When we love and believe in Jesus, God's son, we are adopted into God's family. We become his sons and daughters. With joy, we can cry 'Abba, Father' because he has become our spiritual Father. With hope, we can put our trust in his sovereign ways because he cares for us. Remember that God the Father is not like an earthly father you may have experienced. He does not treat us unfairly or mock us for our fumbled attempts to follow him. Nor does he toss aside our requests while attending to more important business.
Jesus himself spoke these words of the Father in Matthew 10:29 and 31, saying, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care... so don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
We may not know why God waits to answer a specific prayer or why he feels distant for a time, but we do know that he is watching over us. We are incredibly important to God our Father. In joy or in sorrow, we can cry out to our Father in heaven and he will hear us.
TAKE ACTION:
Picture yourself as a small child once again. Think of the candid way you asked questions, let your thoughts spill out, and even felt confused at times. Now, think of yourself this way in relation to God, your Father. Picture him standing there next to you, smiling down at you, holding your hand as you walk side by side. Then pray to him verbally or in written form with this image in mind; ask him questions, tell him about your day, share your struggles and thank him for your joys.
- http://www2.aws.org/dailydevotions/we-cry-abba-father -
RSS Feed
