Our adoption to sonship means we get to call on Him as “Abba Father” with outstretched arms of anticipation and acceptance.
For most of my 37 years of walking with the Lord, I haven’t felt comfortable calling Him “Abba Father.” For some reason, the Aramaic word meaning “Daddy” has felt too informal or irreverent. He is, after all, the God of the Universe!
However, a couple of years ago, my whole perspective changed. I was in a mentorship session with a trusted woman of faith when she challenged me to call upon Abba Father for comfort and strength. At one point, she encouraged me to go confidently to the Throne Room of Grace as mentioned in Hebrews 4:16. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Immediately, I remembered Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6:1-3, which says, “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” The comfort I received at that moment drew me to the Father’s throne, and for the first time, I found myself whispering, “Abba Father.”
If you’re skeptical about calling God “Abba Father,” here are a few examples. I pray they encourage you to approach the Lord in a new way, seeing Him as the wonderful Father He is:
By The Spirit
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16
For decades, I resisted referring to the Lord as “Daddy” because I was being cautious in the flesh. Unbeknownst to me, a form of religiosity was influencing my perspective, but once I released it, I was able to receive the work of the Holy Spirit who enabled me to cry, “Abba Father.”
The inner working of the Spirit matures us in ways we don’t expect. And this was one area I didn’t realize was holding me back from deeper intimacy with God. I released all fear and intimidation and embraced my identity as His child. Since that day, I’ve only grown closer to my Heavenly Father.
John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” It is your right to call Him “Abba Father,” a right gifted to you through His Spirit.
Pray with me: Holy God, I lay down every form of religiosity. Please lead me by Your Spirit to step fully into my identity as Your child. I know that I am free to call you “Abba Father,” and I thank You for that freedom, in Jesus’ name.
By Jesus’ Example
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36
A key aspect of the Christian life is to follow Jesus’ example. When He called upon “Abba Father” in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was crying out to His Daddy for help. Though the cup (of His crucifixion) was not taken from Him, He trusted the Father’s will over His own.
Crying out to Abba Father with our deepest needs is an essential part of relying completely on Him. Even when we don’t receive the answers we expect, we can fully trust His direction and decision.
Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” What a beautiful reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness to those who know Him and call Him “Abba Father.”
Pray with me: Lord, turn my eyes toward Your perfect will. Even when I don’t understand, help me trust You evermore. I look to You, Abba Father, for strength and guidance in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Through Adoption
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7
Just as precious children are welcomed into families through adoption, we are welcomed into God’s family through the redemption of Jesus Christ. Our adoption to sonship means we get to call on Him as “Abba Father” with outstretched arms of anticipation and acceptance.
No longer are we distanced from God, forgotten or forsaken. Instead, we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and drawn into the family of believers. He has written our names in the Book of Life, an irrevocable record that we are His.
In Luke 10:20, Jesus said, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” He said this to the Seventy-Two who went out to preach the kingdom of heaven. Afterward, He said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do” (Luke 10:21).
The Lord reveals His truth to us, and with child-like faith we trust Him as Abba Father. What a blessing to be adopted into the family of God for all eternity!
Pray with me: Lord, please help me grasp the enormity of being included in Your holy family. Thank You for the sacrifice that made it possible to call you “Abba.” I am grateful to be called Your beloved child and look forward to spending eternity with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Through Invitation
Hebrews 10:19-23 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
The day I saw God as Abba Father was the turning point for my faith and ministry. With renewed hope and confidence, I approached His throne of grace, not only as a believer, but as His precious daughter. It was as if He was handing me an invitation with beautiful handwriting and a gold seal of approval. As I opened the envelope, an outpouring of love and acceptance filled my soul.
No longer is there a dividing curtain keeping us at a distance from our Heavenly Father. Jesus made the way for us to draw near with sincerity of heart and assurance of faith. He is the new and living way opened to all who seek Him.
Today, spend time in the throne room, looking into the eyes of Father God and resting in His peaceful presence. Hear what He’s saying to you, beloved whispers of truth and promise. He is with you and loves you with an everlasting love.
Pray with me: Lord, as I see the train of Your robe filling the temple, lead me step-by-step to the altar of Your presence. I look to You, not only as my Maker, but as my Abba Father. In the precious and holy name of Jesus, amen.
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