So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[a] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 NLT
Abba, Father. Is that who God is to you? Or do you find that think of Him as your eternal Father is challenging in like of your experience with your earthly father. It’s understandable, of course, when the very human that is supposed to model for us unconditional love and protection and provision fails in any regard.
Whether our daddy’s ability fell short of our expectations and needs . . .
Whether our daddy’s intentions were marred by abuse, neglect, or abandonment . . .
Whether our daddy’s example conveyed Christ-with-skin-on love and grace and kindness.
One thing is true: Our earthly dad is not a full representation of our heavenly one.
God has a significant fatherly role to play in all our lives, when He adopts us into His family by our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
It is a role defined by His love and protection, provision and purpose. It is a role we can lean into, rest under, and receive without hesitation as rightful daughters and sons of the Eternal King.
God, I thank you for being my Abba, Father. Thank you for adopting me into your family by faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. May I treasure this gift and embrace my role as your beloved daughter. Help me, God to look at my earthly father through the lens of who you are instead of looking at you through the lens of who he is.
In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen
Listen to the Wednesday in the Word Podcast Episode
Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, we hope you’ll show your support by sharing it with your friends and family as well as take a moment to rate and review it in your listening app.
Enroll in the Encounter God Bible Study
Get access to weekly teaching videos and bonus resources when you enroll in the Encounter God Bible Study.
