Sunday, July 26, 2015

Abba Father...simply say "Daddy"

artwork by Kimberly Simmons
This beautiful work of art by Kimberly Simmons on our Artful Story Journaling Facebook page was inspiring to me, as I listened to the anointed new Planetshakers' hymn, Abba FatherHow great is your love for me, that you gave up Your son for me, Now I am alive and free, Father I love you, Your love made a way for me, into me You see, You love every part of me, Father You love me, Oh, the love of my Father is deeper than any love I know. Oh, the grace that He shows me, His love overwhelming. This I know, the love of my Father, Abba Father, Your love is never-ending, there's no other love like Yours. In Your presence my heart is overflowing, Father I am Yours.
 
Because I was so loved by my own sweet Daddy, Eston Willis, who led me to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, and introduced me to an in-depth study of Romans Chapter Eight, I felt compelled to do a word study of Abba, Father from Romans 8:14-15

Amplified: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

NLT: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 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. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Phillips: All who follow the leading of God’s Spirit are God’s own sons. Nor are you meant to relapse into the old slavish attitude of fear—you have been adopted into the very family circle of God and you can say with a full heart, “Father, my Father.”

Wuest: For as many as are being constantly led by God’s Spirit, these are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again with resulting fear, but you received the Spirit who places you as adult sons, by whom we cry out with deep emotion, Abba, [namely] Father.

Young's Literal: for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God; for ye did not receive a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye did receive a spirit of adoption in which we cry, `Abba—Father.'

Abba is transliterated as Abba into English from the corresponding Aramaic word which was used in the everyday language of families as a term addressing one's father. Children, as well as adult sons and daughters, used Abba when speaking to their fathers. And so Abba conveys a warm, intimate sense. Abba emphasizes the warm, intimate, and very personal relationship which exists between the believer and God. In Abba, filial tenderness, trust, and love find their combined expression.

Pastor Wayne Barber explains, “Abba is Aramaic and comes from the first word that a little child ever says…like our English "Da Da". The disposition of fear of punishment is gone and replaced by a reverential awe. And now our spirit can cry out Abba…Father…"I need help. Daddy…I'm going through a difficult time." This is a beautiful picture for every son (and daughter) of God. This truth ought to affect your attitude (and acceptance) regarding whatever the Lord is allowing to transpire in your life. You are a child of God and He is control of everything that you are experiencing…and you can cry out to Him and run to Him and He is always there

Pastor Ray Pritchard writes, “This (that we can cry out "Abba! Father!") is truly good news. You don’t have to scream at God to get his attention. You simply say, “Daddy,” and He hears your voice. You whisper His name in the darkness and He comes to your aid. When we come to Christ, God sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts to give us new life and the assurance that we are God’s children. This is the “still, small voice” of God that speaks to the soul and whispers, “You are now a child of God.” That same Holy Spirit within us cries out “Abba, Father.” The word “Abba” comes from an Aramaic word that little children would use to speak to their fathers. It is an intimate, personal word of endearing affection. In English you might say “Dad” or “Daddy” or “Papa” or “Dear Father.” It’s a very tender way of talking to our Heavenly Father. No longer is He some distant God up in the sky. Now he is our “Heavenly Daddy.”

Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon has said: “Oh, blessed, blessed state of heart to feel that now we are born into the family of God, and that the choice word which no slave might ever pronounce may now be pronounced by us, “Abba”! It is a child’s word, such as a little child utters when first he opens his mouth to speak, and it runs the same both backwards and forwards,—AB-BA. Oh to have a childlike spirit that, in whatever state of heart I am, I may still be able to say, in the accents even of spiritual infancy,” Abba, Father!"

Spurgeon continues, “Indwelling the believer, the Holy Spirit bears witness "with our spirit, that we are the children of God." The witness of the Spirit is in the Word of God, and because the believer has accepted His witness as to redemption, he knows therefore that God is His Father, and, being born again, that he is in the family of God. He produces in the believer the consciousness of being a child of God, as well as the affections of a child. "We have this testimony in our hearts in our relationship with God; but the Holy Spirit Himself, as distinct from us, bears this testimony to those in whom He dwells. The true believer knows that he recognizes in his heart God as his Father, but He also knows that the Holy Spirit bears the same testimony to him. That which is founded on the Word is realized and verified in the heart."

Spurgeon concludes, "The witness of the Spirit is more than "a good feeling," it is the deep consciousness produced by believing the Word, in the power of the Spirit of God, that we are the children of God. The Spirit brings about a response in our hearts to the love of God that cries out, "Abba! Father!" The witness of the Holy Spirit that you are a child of God is not a testimony to a neutral heart with no affection for God's fatherly love; so that your neutral heart can draw the logical conclusion that it is a child of God and then try to muster up some appropriate affections. That is not the picture. No. The witness of the Holy Spirit that you are a child of God IS the creation in you of affections for God. The testimony of the Holy Spirit IS the cry, "Abba! Father!"

Thank you, Lord, that we can simply say, "Daddy," and You hear our voice, and You meet us right at the point of our need...Praise Your Holy Name!

Previous word studies from Romans Chapter Eight…

Romans 8:1-3

Romans 8:10-11

12 word studies from Ephesians Chapter One…

Weekly LinkUps…



50 comments:

  1. I have several orthadox Jewish friends who have children. These children call their fathers Abba today. It's very touching to see the close relationship that any good father has with his children and such a wonderful reminder of how my Father wants me to react to him. He is my Abba, my Daddy, my Papa and just as a Jewish father longs to hold his children in his arms, so does my Abba!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Judy! I so agree with you about that wonderful image of climbing up in my Daddy's lap and letting Him love me...precious indeed...many blessings to you ❤️

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  2. Oh my word, I love this>>>>“This (that we can cry out "Abba! Father!") is truly good news. You don’t have to scream at God to get his attention. You simply say, “Daddy,” and He hears your voice. You whisper His name in the darkness and He comes to your aid.>>>> What a tender picture. "Daddy". He loves us so, doesn't He? Stopping in from Reflect linkup

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    1. Tender, yes Leah, that is a wonderful word to describe His love for us...thank you so much for stopping by...many blessings to you ❤️

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  3. We are starting a devotional doodling group this fall! I love how each person can see something unique. I love the word ABBA. This picture of God drew me to himself when I was 14. :)

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    1. Jann, I would love to join your devotional doodling group...is it online? I love what Spurgeon said about ABBA..."it runs the same both backwards and forwards"...how like God, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  4. Beth...I love the way you have taught about Abba in this post.
    Your Father taught you well and I can tell that you have a great love of bible study yourself and we are then blessed by your teachings/
    Many blessings and love,
    Mary.

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary, you are such a sweet encourager to me and so many others! It is true, He is my life, I breathe in His Word, and from the overflow of my heart I share...truly God's CPR...many blessings to you ❤️

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  5. Abba is such a comforting name for such a wild God. I'm grateful that He encourages us to call Him Daddy when we need to. Thanks for sharing. Your word studies are always encouraging and insightful.

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen! I am always blessed by your open, honest, and transparent posts...many blessings to you ❤️

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  6. Beautiful! I love that we have Our Heavenly Father who is our daddy too. The comfort I feel in knowing that wraps around me. Today I was drawn to the NLT version of Romans because of the word "Adopted". My heart leaps when I am reminded that I am adopted by God's own spirit. It is a beautiful thing. Thank you for bringing these words to life and for being so faithful in sharing them here on this page. Tuesday blessings!

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    1. Amen, Mary! I so agree with you, resting today in our Daddy's Arms...many blessings to you ❤️

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  7. So glad that we can call God, Daddy, what a privilege. Thanks Beth, for linking up today for the #RaRaLinkup.

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    1. Katie, thank you so much for stopping by...I'm always inspired by your writing...many blessings to you ❤️

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  8. Oh yeah, Beth. Sometimes all I can breathe out is HIS name.

    He loves it. He knows I need Him desperately.

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    1. Thank you, Linda, I so agree with you...He hears our every breath...many blessings to you ❤️

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  9. Beth, great post! I love that we are to call him Daddy. I learned so much from your post. Blessed to be your neighbor over at Tell His Story today!

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    1. Thank you, Tara, I'm so glad you stopped by! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  10. I love that we can have such a father/daughter relationship with the Lord and call him Abba. Brennan Manning's thoughts on Abba Father first drew me to seeing the Lord this way. Beautiful insights! Love, Rachael

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    1. Rachael, I love Brennan Manning and Ann Voskamp's writing as well...both use the phrase "all is grace"...truly all is grace...our sweet Abba Daddy sees the end from the beginning, and He works it all together for our good and His glory...many blessings to you ❤️

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  11. I love this verse! it is one of my favorites.
    I am glad you wrote on it here.
    I call Him "Daddy" or "Baba" makes it more relational and personal for me.

    Thank you dear Beth for your visits and encouragement. The last few weeks have been challenging but I know we will get through this phase.
    Thanks for your encouragement, from the depth of my heart I do appreciate it.

    Precious Blessings to you my dear friend.

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    1. Ifeoma, thank you for your kind words...your writing is such an encouragement to me and so many others...praying for you during this season...many blessings to you ❤️

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  12. That is beautiful artwork. It really is inspiring. I love the hymn you shared as well. I have never seen it before.

    Visiting from Women w/ Intention Wednesdays. Have a wonderful day :)

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Michelle...many blessings to you ❤️

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  13. I adore the title Abba. Visiting from WWI, I'm in slot #31!

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  14. I love the way you compile so many translations and commentaries on a passage. So interesting to get a full view. I'm so grateful God encourages us to call him Abba! Linking with you at Three Word Wed. Blessings.

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    1. Ginger, thank you so much, I appreciate your encouraging comments...many blessings to you ❤️

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  15. Beth, this is a gnarly metaphor for me, and I've put off reading your post, but I'm glad, today, to have read it. Blessings.

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    1. Michele, thank you for your open, honest, transparent comment...our Abba Daddy is such a Good, Good Father, it's Who He is and we're so loved by Him, it's who we are...beloved...many blessings to you ❤️

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  16. Once again another wonderful word study Beth. I appreciate you sharing this with us at Good Morning Mondays. It is so wonderful to have a loving Heavenly Father who meets us where we are at and loves us despite ourselves. Blessings

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    1. Terri, thank you...you are such sweet and consistent encourager to me and so many others...it is a joy to share with you and the other lovely sisters-in-Christ at Good Morning Mondays! Many blessings to you!

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  17. Abba is such a rich name. Love Spurgeon's words that you share:
    The witness of the Holy Spirit that you are a child of God IS the creation in you of affections for God. The testimony of the Holy Spirit IS the cry, "Abba! Father!"
    Yes!

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    1. Lisa, i so agree with you...when the commentaries resonate with the Word of God deep in our hearts, it's like the ringing of a bell, Yes! Many blessings to you!

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  18. Love the intimacy of "Abba" no stiffness, or formality. He invites us to fling ourselves into his arms and enjoy the love of a perfect Dad! thanks Beth!

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    1. Amen, Karen, it is the intimacy of "Abba, Daddy" that draws us into His everlasting arms...I love your word "fling" it pictures being completely abandoned to Him, like Oswald Chambers says so often in My Utmost for His Highest...many blessings to you!

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  19. I especially love that Abba is a baby's first word. A new thought to ponder. Thank you!

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    1. Lisa, I love that too...we are all just babes in Christ...lifting our arms and voices to our Abba Daddy....many blessings to you ❤️

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  20. SIMPLY SAY DADDY. Oh, yes. So good and true. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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    1. Thank you, Kristin, you are such a great encourager to me and so many others. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  21. Oh, how sweet it is to be able to talk to our Abba!

    What a great post about the truth in these verses. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and encouragement.

    Came over on Blessings Counter, and I'm glad to find your site.
    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

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    1. Melanie, thank you so much for stopping by! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  22. Praise God that we can approach Him not only with the awe and respect due our Creator, but with the love and intimacy of our Father! Thank you for the beautiful post. Linked up with you at Sunday Stillness -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
    God bless,
    Laurie
    http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such an encouraging comment ❤️ Many blessings to you!

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  23. It me a long time to identify with God as "daddy". I am so thankful that I know Him as such. He's a good and faithful daddy.

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    1. Amen, Barbie! Thank you so much for sharing that with me...many blessings to you ❤️

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  24. Great post, Beth! Thanks for linking at Women With Intention Wednesdays!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jenny, many blessings to you ❤️

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