ABBA

Cherishing the Father

It happened again this morning. I woke up with the words of a song in my head. I know when this happens that it is the Holy Spirit talking to me. This morning he was reminding me that I have a shelter, a place to go to feel safe and loved. Read the beautiful words of the chorus below.

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

My father used to warn about what he called "song theology". There are songs that he didn't like because they weren't biblical in their message. I get that, but there are songs that I believe are inspired by the Holy Spirit that not only praise God, but also remind us of who He is. This is one such song. I absolutely love the words. It doesn't express theology. It shows us how deep the love of God goes. It reminds us that we can run to him over and over again and he never tires of holding us. He loves that we need him and trust him. He is our friend. He is the surgeon that can heal our broken hearts.

I get this picture of a small child running to their father for protection. He pulls his child in close and holds him tight. The love is immeasurable. The song writer puts it this way.

My heart has been in Your sights Long before my first breath Running into Your arms Is running to life from death And I feel this rush deep in my chest Your mercy is calling out Just as I am You pull me in And I know I need You now

Running from Death into Life! What a beautiful picture. The arms of our father are ALWAYS open. It doesn't matter what we've done. It doesn't matter where we are, there is acceptance and love.

Imagine Jesus God's son hanging on the cross. He called out for his father, "Why have you forsaken me?". These were the words he cried out to his father, our father. He was there so that we could run to the father. He was separated from this great loving father for a time so that we could be together forever in the arms of God. We can sing these words because Jesus died and bridged the gap between God and man.

So RUN to the Father. Don't walk. He is longing to hold you and show you how much he loves you. He will show you the sacrifice of his son. The beauty is, he doesn't hold us responsible for that death. The irony is that the greatest wrong that was committed by man is not held against us, but is the only way to be reconciled to this amazing loving personal heavenly father. It blows my mind. He made the way by his personal sacrifice. I don't have a reference for that kind of love. Do you?

When you are a child of God he is your Abba which is an intimate term to characterize a personal relationship with God.

Romans 8:15 "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Mark 14:36 "Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Galatians 4:6 "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”