NAMES OF GOD #2
ABBA FATHER
How many names of God do you think there are listed in the Scriptures? And what is the significance of knowing them or understanding them? Like a treasure hunt of vast proportion…the unveiling, unearthing and unraveling of each name not only helps us understand the character of God, but gives us strength and power as we use them.
This week we are going to delve into the power and treasure of the title "Abba Father," which is an Aramaic word of affection for "father" meaning Daddy or Papa in English. Abba means exactly that … God is our affectionate, loving, perfect Daddy. One without flaws. But how does knowing this help me, you ask?
FOR THE SEEKER OR SKEPTIC
Time after time, stories of how father's fail splash across the news, be it the sensationalism of abuse, life of crime, drugs or even murder, or the less dramatic but no less harmful…abandonment, betrayal, no financial support, too busy to spend any time, and on the list goes. To make this applicable and personal to you, think about the ways your father failed you? If you are one of the few who can honestly say you had a loving, attentive father, then you are indeed blessed and will easily be able to see God in this light. But more often than not a story of failure is written and there is difficulty in imagining an affectionate, loving Papa.
I personally found it hard to separate the experience of my earthly father from the concept I had of a Heavenly Father. I have no memories of ever being held, up on my mommy or daddy's knee. By the time I was four when my memories kicked in ... my parents already had three more kids to top the four older siblings I already had, making a even eight. Time for warmth, cuddles, or one on one was non-existent. I went into adulthood with no concept of what it meant to be nurtured, or given affection. So I did not easily comprehend the concept of an Abba Father, Daddy, Papa ... so full of affection and love for me. I remember crying out one day for understanding. I used this simple prayer.
Prayer:
"Abba Father show me how to see you as the affectionate, loving One you are. Come Daddy. Come Papa. Come Abba Father. Come into my life."
This simple quest of curious but genuine prayer "Come Abba Father," is all it took to open the doors of my mind to a loving Father. It will be the same for you. By speaking out this invitation, I believe with all my heart, that Abba Father will make His presence known to you as He did to me, and relationship will begin.
Please share your experience with me, or if you have any questions as to what to do next after feeling Abba's presence, please write.
FOR THE BELIEVER – THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME "ABBA FATHER."
There is power in understanding just how much you are loved by your Papa, Daddy, Abba Father.
Jesus prayed using the title Abba Father at the most intense crisis point of his earthly life … when facing eminent death. In Mark 14:36 this is what He cries out ... "Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
When you are facing crisis or trial, don't be afraid to call out on your Abba Father. Even if He does not remove your valley, He will never forsake you or leave you to muddle alone. As with Jesus, He will provide enough power to do His will and walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (That shadow of death can be any sort of tribulation. Death of a loved one. Death of a marriage. Death of a job. Death of a friendship. Death of your health. Death of family relationships that break your heart.)
Also, Galatians 4:6-7 says: "Because you are sons, (and daughters), God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father'. So, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." Wow! This means we are entitled as adoptive children of God all the rights of His Son Jesus and are fully identified as His children. We can come to our daddy with the assurance He not only cares, but is available to help give us strength.
Romans 8:14-15 "Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father."
Prayer:
Papa. Daddy. Abba Father, help me grasp the truth of just how much I am loved as your son, or daughter. Abba, you know what I fear, you see that shadows that loom dark and ominous above me. Give me strength Papa, to hold onto you with all my might, and when I can't hold on Daddy, when my arms get too tired and weak, hold onto me, and never let go. Thy will be done. Amen.
Listen to this amazing song of encouragement and surrender by Hillary Scott & the Scott Family. "Thy Will."
And please tell me your story of how Abba Father tenderly met you.
Review:
1) Elohim, our omnipotent all-powerful God/Creator is not just a higher power up in the universe some where, He is personal, powerful and available to you. Read more: "Knowing the Secret to An Abundant Life" October 1st blog. Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Thank You
A big thank you to Trevor, Chelsea and baby Scotia Lacy for these beautiful pictures that so depict the loving Abba/Daddy heart of God. Carolyn Fox, Tiny Fox Photography
