Abba

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

Wonderfully relaxing day at the beach yesterday. This is a contradiction in terms for any mother of small children. For the best part of 30 years my beach days consisted of squinting into the sun, sitting at rapt attention and trying to recognize my brood in the group of bobbing heads. Those times have passed; as well as, the mad rush to collect the beach toys from the backyard before we leave. Yesterday, there was a family camped out next to us with a precious 2 year-old little boy, He was joyfully playing in the sand and running around in circles. He bolted down to the water's edge to wash the sand from his hands. My heart wrenched as he made the 30 foot journey alone. My kids would attest to the fact that I made them hold my hand while crossing the street until they were taller than me. He quickly rinsed his hands and as he was admiring his work, he began running back up the beach. He had gotten slightly off course and when he looked up he didn't see his family, who had not taken their eyes from him. The momentary look of fear on his little face wrenched my heart again. That look editorialized the feeling that we get when we venture out on our own from God and get askew. It is the “Oh no!” moment when we realize that that we really don't know where we are or what we are doing. He got his bearings and ran right into his mother's arms. It was a very sweet scene and an illustration of the kind of love that God has for us.

The Chaldean word “Abba” in the Bible is translated as “father.” Its connotation is much more personal and it could be rightfully written as “Daddy.” You see even when we bolt and run away from Him, He never takes His eyes off of us. Sometimes He allows us the “Oh no!” moment so that we realize how much we need Him. Most assuredly He is always there with His arms wide open to welcome us back.

Really let the words of Romans 8:15 sink into your spirit, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear. . .”

So many times the scripture admonishes us to, “Fear not” (Gen. 15:1,21:17, 26:24,35:17,43:23,46:3,50:19,50:21;Ex.14:13, 20:20; Deut.1:21; Dan. 10:12,10:19; Joel 2:21; Zeph. 3:16; Hag. 2:5; Zech. 8:13,15; Mal. 3:5; Matt. 1:20,10:26,28,31,28:5; Luke 1:13,30, 2:10,5:10,8:50,12:7,12:32;John 12:15; Acts 27:24, Rev. 1:17).

I pray that the realization of God's abiding love becomes ever-apparent in your mind. Reading scripture sinks these truths deep into our spirits and allows them to flourish in our lives. I pray that God blesses you greatly today.

Patti

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6