Thursday, February 21, 2008
DevotionSEVEN: Know your Father's Name
To the non-christians, He may just be known as Jesus. However, just as how we call our dads 'dad' and not by his name, our Father enables us to to know Him by a unique name too. And that is "Abba" (Meaning 'Dad' in Hebrew)
Romans 8:15-17
15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
To others, our dads may just be known as the guy who works at XXX or the one who cooks well. Addressing our dads 'dad' entails a unique relationship we have with this person we see almost everyday in our lives. The day we accept Christ into our lives, is the day when we are offered to enter into a new level of intimacy with God.
Isnt it so comforting to know that our Father above longs to have an intimate relationship with us? Not a master-servant relationship, as servants do not know the business of his master.
But how often do we chase and long after Him? When we're down and out? When exams are near?
Just as how you would want your friend to come to you not only in bad times but also in good times, how much more is He longing for you to share with Him your daily struggles and joy. I think our Father above must feel very hurt when we only remember Him when we need help.
And surely, we wouldnt our friends to know us just by our names, would we?
Lets, together as a cell, strive to have a closer walk with Him and not to just know Him as 'Jesus'. Even on days we feel so distant, let us utter to God "Draw me close to You, never let me go..."
To the non-christians, He may just be known as Jesus. However, just as how we call our dads 'dad' and not by his name, our Father enables us to to know Him by a unique name too. And that is "Abba" (Meaning 'Dad' in Hebrew)
Romans 8:15-17
15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
To others, our dads may just be known as the guy who works at XXX or the one who cooks well. Addressing our dads 'dad' entails a unique relationship we have with this person we see almost everyday in our lives. The day we accept Christ into our lives, is the day when we are offered to enter into a new level of intimacy with God.
Isnt it so comforting to know that our Father above longs to have an intimate relationship with us? Not a master-servant relationship, as servants do not know the business of his master.
But how often do we chase and long after Him? When we're down and out? When exams are near?
Just as how you would want your friend to come to you not only in bad times but also in good times, how much more is He longing for you to share with Him your daily struggles and joy. I think our Father above must feel very hurt when we only remember Him when we need help.
And surely, we wouldnt our friends to know us just by our names, would we?
Lets, together as a cell, strive to have a closer walk with Him and not to just know Him as 'Jesus'. Even on days we feel so distant, let us utter to God "Draw me close to You, never let me go..."
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