For most of the 37 years of walking with the Lord, I had not felt comfortable calling him “Aba’s Father.” For some reason, the Aramaic word meaning “daddy” feels informal or profane. After all, he is the God of the universe!
But a few years ago, my overall perspective changed. I was in mentorship sessions with women of trustworthy faith. At one point, she encouraged me to go to the room of grace with confidence, as I mentioned in Hebrews 4:16. “Then we can confidently approach the throne of God’s grace, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to help us when we need it.”
Immediately I remembered Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6:1-3. It said, “I saw the Lord, the Lord sitting on the throne, and the train in his robe filled the temple.” The comfort I received in that moment drew me towards my Father’s throne. For the first time I whispered, “Aba’s Father.”
If you are skeptical of calling God the “Father of Aba,” here are a few examples. I encourage them to encourage you to approach the Lord in a new way and see him as a wonderful father:
By the spirit
“The ones guided by the Spirit of God are God’s children. The spirits you receive will not enslav you; and you will live in fear again. The Spirit himself testifies to our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16
For decades, I resisted calling the Lord “daddy” because I was cautious about the flesh. Unknown to me, the form of religion had influenced my perspective, and upon release I was able to turn the work of the Holy Spirit into “Abba Father.”
The inner workings of the mind mature us in ways that we do not expect. And this was an area where I didn’t realize I was hindering me from my deeper intimacy with God. I freed all my fears and threats and embraced my identity as his child. Since that day, I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father.
John 1:12 states, “But to all who received him, and to all who believed in his name, he has given him the right to be a child of God.” It is your right, and a right that has been given to you through his spirit.
Pray with me: Holy God, I lie in all forms of religion. Lead me into your spirit to fully step into my identity as your child. I know I can freely call you “Father of Aba,” and I appreciate that freedom in the name of Jesus.
By the example of Jesus
“Father, Aba,” he said. Mark 14:36
An important aspect of Christian life is following Jesus’ example. When he called out “Aba’s Father” in the garden of Gethsemane, he was screaming to his dad for help. The cup (of his cross) was not taken from him, but he trusted his father’s will.
Crying to Abba’s Father with our deepest needs is an integral part of relying entirely on him. Even if we don’t receive the answer we expect, we can still fully trust his direction and decision.
Psalm 9:10 says, “For the sake of you, O Lord, have never abandoned those who trust you in your name. What a beautiful reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness to those who know him and call him the “Father of Aba.”
Pray with me: Lord, turn my eyes to your perfect will. Help me trust you more, even when I don’t understand. Father of Aba, I look to you for the strength and guidance of all things. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Through adoption
“But when the time had become fully established, God sent his son to the clergy who said he might receive an adoption to a saint, a son born from a woman born under the law. Because you are his son, God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts. You are no longer a slave, but a child of God, so God has become an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7
Just as precious children are welcomed by their families through adoption, we are welcomed by God’s family through the redemption of Jesus Christ. Adoption of a son means that we call him “Aba’s Father” and call him out with an arm of expectation and acceptance.
We no longer distance ourselves from God and are not forgotten or abandoned. Instead, we are reded by the blood of the lamb and drawn into the family of our followers. He wrote our name in Book of Life, an irreparable record of us being him.
At Luke 10:20, Jesus said, “I am pleased that your name is written in heaven.” He said this to the 72 people who went out to preach heaven. He then said, “I praise you, and O Lord of heaven and earth, you learned these things wisely, and you revealed them to the little children.
The Lord reveals His truth to us and trusts him as Aba’s Father in childlike faith. It would be a blessing to be adopted by God’s family forever!
Pray with me: Lord, grasp the enormousness of what is included in your holy family. Thank you for the sacrifice that made it possible to call you “Aba.” I am grateful to be called your beloved child and look forward to spending eternity with you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Through an invitation
Hebrews 10:19-23 states, “We are confident in the blood of Jesus, as we are confident in our new way of life that has been opened for us through the curtains, that is, through his body, for us, so that we have great priests in the house of God, so that we will approach God, with our hearts, and with our hearts, we will blow our hearts, pure water.
The day I saw God as Aba’s Father was a turning point in my faith and ministry. With new hope and confidence, I approached the throne of his grace, not only as a follower but also as a precious daughter. It was as if he was giving me an invitation with beautiful handwritten and gold stickers of approval. I opened the envelope and the pouring of love and acceptance filled my soul.
There are no split curtains far from our heavenly Father anymore. Jesus created a pathway to approach with assurance of sincerity in the heart and faith. He is a new way of life open to everyone who seeks him.
Today, I spend time in the throne room, looking at the eyes of God, resting in His peaceful being. Listen to what he is telling you, whispers of loving truth and promises. He is with you and loves you with eternal love.
Pray with me: Lord, I will see that your robe training fills the temple, and lead you step by step to the altar of your being. I will look to you, not only as my maker, but as my ABBA father. Jesus’ precious and holy name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Rudall30
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including the Prayer Warier. Turn all worries into powerful prayers and are regular contributors to Lifeway, Crosswalk, Abide and Christian Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is mama.com, an encouragement to find her book and sign up for weekly posts. Disappointment doesn’t win. She lives with her family near the foot of the Rocky Mountains, her favorite place on earth.
