This morning in my worship time with the Lord, there came a moment when I laid prostrate before Him. As I began to acknowledge God for who He is, I began addressing Him as Yahweh, Jehovah, struggling to find the right name to address Him by. Was it Elohim? Adonai? El Shaddai?
I was groping to find the name that showed the highest respect, and knowing that many Jewish folks won’t even write His name, let alone spell it, because they believe it is too holy to enunciate.
It was in that moment my Heavenly Father made it real simple for me. In an instant I had a download, and now I will struggle to impart that to you as clearly and simply as possible. I will put in words that which came to me without words, so forgive my inadequacy as I translate my knowing into words.
It was as if He said this… Strangers look for a name to call Him, but we need only call Him, Father or Abba Father (Romans 8:15). Can you imagine calling your father by his first name? Or even saying, “Good morning Mr. Jackson” instead of simply, “Good morning Dad” or “Good morning Father”. That would not be honoring.
Remember how Jesus instructed the disciples to pray? He told them to begin with “Our Father”. Jesus was letting us know that God is His Father and He is OUR Father too! And that is how we are invited to approach Him. The more we use titles and labels to approach our Father in Heaven, despite our best intentions, we are in fact distancing ourselves from intimacy with Him. (I believe the same can be true with church titles, but that is a topic for another day.)
It’s one thing to acknowledge that He is Almighty God and every other title of honor you can imagine, but it’s another thing when we address Him personally by His title or name. I believe He loves to be called Father by His children, but when we only address Him by title, we are denying the familial privilege He offers us as Father.
It is a privilege beyond description to be allowed, even invited, to call Him Father. Why would we turn that down? But turn it down we often do, because we consider ourselves to be more of a stranger or outsider than a family member. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that we are free to approach the throne of grace BOLDLY, upon which sits the King of the universe. How is that boldness possible? Only if you truly understand and relate to Him as your Father!
Remember the famous picture of JFK’s kids playing under the desk of then President Kennedy? They had a privilege that strangers and mere acquaintances, even friends, did not have.
In like manner, we are invited to come into God’s presence as sons and daughters, without fear of reproach (James 1:5) and call Him Abba Father.
May I encourage you to always do so. Father loves it when you do!
Until next time,
Be fruitful and multiply!
Beautiful and well said Michael!
Our Father is pleased with your delivery of his message…
Amen~
Thank you so much Bea!
May our Father bless you richly today!
Michael
Thank you for your encouraging words. What an incredible reminder of His incredible love for us! -RaShell
Hi RaShell;
Bless you for being an encouragement to us.
All the best today to you and Jason!
Michael
There is amazing freedom and closeness when we whisper His name..Abba.(Dearest Daddy, I have heard it translated). What I needed this day, thank you.
Refective thoughts- Pure religion, is being undefiled by the world and caring for widows and orphans. How many orphans are in the church with a Father-less heart? To the degree that I fail to embrace and interact with, or even wrongly perceive beliefs about my Father in heaven, to that degree, I am Father less. I love what Jesus declares in John, AS the Father has loved me, SO I have loved you. Caught in the familial affection of the Godhead loving weak folks like us. Wow and that WE are loved that way as dearly beloved children of God. Thank you for helping us pull our bearts thru these truths
Hi Michael Hawn;
I really appreciate what you added to the conversation. Good insights!
Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts to the conversation and uplift us all.
Blessings, Michael
Amen
When a 2 or 3 year old is asked what their father’s name is, they respond by simply saying, “Daddy”. That’s so precious and exactly what our Father in heaven wants from us, to have that child-like faith and child-like relationship with us, pure and simple and totally submerged in unconditional love and the “awe” that my Daddy can do anything. That’s the highest form of love and adoration.
Well said Lili! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for deconstructing what we sometimes make complicated. “Our Father….how reassuring.
Thank you Gregory for your uplifting comment.
Bless you!
He is so vast, so BIG, yet not a sparrow falls without His knowing. Who is this God? Our Abba!
Ahhh yes! Who is this God? He is our Abba! How blessed are we!