Day 1 – You are the God Who is Abba Father –
And He [Jesus] said, “Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
Lord Jesus, you introduced your disciples, and all the world, to an astounding idea: that the Almighty Creator God wants us to know him and address him as Abba. This was a new and different kind of connection with God than was known in the Old Testament times. You are the one who has provided for us this upgraded fellowship with God. This was almost incredible to imagine, yet you made it so very dear and clear for us all. O God, you welcome us to freely address you with this term of endearment and intimacy. And so, we do! When we came to you … when we come to you … we have come home. God, we have found our true dwelling place with you, with Jesus, and with the Spirit – with your great family that is alive and well in both heaven and earth. You are full of tender mercies as you draw us near to you. You have truly made us special to you through Christ. We delight in knowing this aspect of your fatherhood over us. We are safe and secure. We are cared for and provided for. We are nourished and cherished. We are trained and taught directly by you. Your Holy Spirit who has come to indwell us cries out Abba with yearnings and sighs that are beyond words. We are “adopted” into the full privileges of mature sons and daughters, no longer confined as little children living under the limitations of the old law code. We are bid to come boldly into your presence at any time, just as we are, to offer you our thanks, to receive your grace and mercy, ask you for what we need, and pray effective prayers given us by the Spirit. Two sparrows do not fall to the ground without your compassionate notice. And Lord Jesus … you said that we are worth so much more to Abba than sparrows. Such is your love for each one of us, O Abba Father!
God sees in us a people who are glad to remain childlike even into our elder years.
