Abba Father

One of the absolute joys of my life is when my daughter Amanda calls me "Daddy". Often she'll come running across the room and give me a big hug and say, "I love you, Daddy!" Other times, she'll say, "Look what I made, Daddy" or "Will you play with me, Daddy?" The word Daddy brings with it a special and unique bond that goes light years beyond being just a biological father. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to say no when Amanda's request is followed by that wonderful term of endearment.

In Scripture, the word Abba carries the same meaning as Daddy; even Arabic children use the word Abba instead of Daddy. Now see the privilege we have as God's men that is found in Galatians 4:6-- And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. crying, "Abba! Father!" The previous verse confirms that we have been adopted into God's family through Christ's redemption of our sins on the cross. In the model prayer that Jesus gave his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13), he instructed them to address God as Our Father--the same Greek word for Abba.

Some of us have a less than ideal relationship with our earthly fathers; even to the point where it may be difficult to understand the notion of Abba Father. We must recognize that our Heavenly Father is the definition of love (1 John 4:8) and his perfect love casts out fear (v.18). We must remember that a relationship with us was so important that He allowed Jesus to suffer and die for our sins. He is never too busy, never too preoccupied, never unapproachable and never too tired to spend time with his children. Being disowned or abandoned is never possible with Abba Father.

I find it extremely comforting that the One who spoke the universe into existence and who is the Alpha and the Omega is my Daddy. And you should too!