Trusting in the promises of our Daddy

G-Ampa C's comment yesterday hit me -- "Abba" could be translated into our word "Daddy." Wow! That sounds so intimate. When I keep reading the Old Testament, as I have been each morning this year, I see God's holiness. His unapproachable-ness.

But then I think about what J.I. Packer wrote - everything changes after the cross and resurrection. Remember Jesus' words to Mary after He rose from the dead? "Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

And I love the New Living Translation of Romans 8:15: "So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him "Father, dear Father."

"Father, dear Father." Okay, forget all the bad images about father -- whether it's from the failings of your own father or what you've seen in yourself as a Dad (when I think of the mistakes I made with my kids, well..."let me count the ways.") Let's think about a Father like Jesus. He welcomed children. He touched the "untouchable," lepers. He forgave penitent prostitutes. Those who humble themselves before Him receive grace and salvation and a deep measure of His love.

Makes me think of a Senior Blessing night a few years back, where a bunch of us parents and our kids were gathered at the home of a Highland member. All of the parents took turns reading a blessing to our child who was about to graduate from high school. And I recall so well when one father sat right in front of his son and read a very moving blessing to his son. Then he paused, looked the boy right in his eyes and said, "Son, I love you. I love you. I love you."

And just think -- when we belong to Jesus, the Father (Abba, Daddy) says the very same thing to you and me. I want to know more of that love!

So....when I start to worry about our Brazil trip -- whether we'll have enough funds, or a lunch meeting tomorrow where we'll be training and dialoguing with our volunteer interviewers, or who our kids will marry, or how long it will take to pay off our house... I need to hear the promises of my dear Father, such as:

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." -- Heb. 13:5

I believe that I'll dwell on that promise all day. A promise given by this Father who loves me. He loves us, He loves us, He loves us. Amen.

In His grip of love,

Jim