Abba Father

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Abba Father

Friday, 20 September

 

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

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 8:15-19 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. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

 

MORE LESSON: Mathew 6:8-15 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Abba is an Aramaic word that means "Father" or "Daddy." It's a term of endearment, intimacy, and affection. When Jesus went to pray before His crucification, He said, "Abba, Father" as recorded in Mark.14:36: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. This word reveals the loving, personal relationship He had with God the Father.

Also, Jesus taught His disciples that any time they want to pray, they should start with "Our Father". Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. God is a supernatural being but He is also a loving Father to us the moment we accept Jesus. Our God is a God of relationship who wants to relate with us as a Father not in an official relationship.

As our Abba Father, God is loving and kind as Psalm 136:1-3 puts it: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. He is Present and near as David testified in Psalm 139:7-12:

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. He provides and cares for us as Matthew 6:25-34, and is forgiving and merciful (Psalm 103:8-14).

The questions are: Do you know God as a Father? Can you boldly call Him Father? You must get to that point with God where He is no longer far from you. Build your relationship with God until you experience Him as Father.

We can approach God with confidence and trust, knowing He is our Abba Father. We must cry out to Him with intimacy and affection, knowing that He deeply loves and cares for us. Say to yourself with confidence: "GOD IS MY FATHER”

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank Abba Father for adopting you as His child. 

* Appreciate God for His love, care and presence in your life. 

* Ask God for grace to always cry out to Him with confidence and affection.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, the strangers shall fear and flee out of their hiding places, in the powerful name of Jesus.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: Enemies shall not exact upon me; Psalm 89:22