Daily Devotional
Do You Know God as Father?
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
October 15, 2021
Ponder This
The Holy Spirit attests to and makes real what happened when you got saved. For example, there is a new relationship. Consider today’s verse. Two words are here together, Abba and Father. The first is Aramaic and the second is Hebrew. Abba is an Aramaic word and it means “Daddy” or “Papa.” When the Holy Spirit of God comes into you, He gives you such a relationship with the One who has adopted you that you can call him Abba, Father. Now let me tell you the difference in these two words. There were plenty of people in Abraham’s day that would call him Father Abraham because he was a patriarch, and we call him Father Abraham, but we don't call him Abba Abraham. We know him as Father Abraham because he was the father ruler of the patriarchs. But Isaac would have called him Abba Abraham or Abba Father. He would call him daddy. You see, the Holy Spirit brings us in as adopted children who can call God, Abba Father.
- How does it change your view of God to see Him not only as Father but as a closer form of father, like a daddy?
- How has your earthly relationship with your father shaped the way you view God? What are the ways you need the Bible to reshape that view?
Practice This
Write out a list of ways that God is not only your Father, but your loving Abba.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
