The Father Knows Best: Affection
David Jeremiah


Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
Galatians 4:6


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Today's dads are known by lots of names: Father, dad or daddy, pop or pops, pa or papa, and don't forget "old man." In Bible times, "father" was a title of respect, but younger children just said "Abba," an affectionate informal term, easy to learn and say.

Jesus referred to God as His Father over 200 times, starting with His first recorded words at age 12 when He said He had to be about His Father's business. Once, in Mark 14:36, He used the term "Abba," saying, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You." The apostle Paul adopted that word "Abba" to describe our relationship with the Father in Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15, based on our adoption and sonship.

Perhaps you don't feel comfortable addressing God as "Papa" or "Daddy." But the Bible indicates that "Abba" is an appropriate term when we come to Him in prayer. Whatever word we use, the attitude of affection should permeate our relationship with Him. He is our "Abba Father."

We are like children at the end of a long day. The only thing we want is our abba, our daddy. The yearning of our hearts is for Him.
Noël Piper, in Treasuring God in Our Traditions