"Father," the Lord's Favorite Name

Of all His names, Father is the Lord's favorite name. We know that the Lord loves this name because it is the one He uses most often. While on earth, Jesus called God “Father” more than two hundred times. In His first recorded words in the Bible, Jesus said, "Why were you looking for Me? Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). In His final prayer of victory He cried out, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46). In the book of John, Jesus repeats this name 156 times. The Lord is pleased to be called Father. After all, didn't Jesus teach us to begin our prayers with the words "Our Father"?--

Abba or father is an everyday word. It is the word used in family interaction. This word carries the same meaning as Papa, Daddy, or Dad. You may call God the Creator, because that is what He is. You are right to call Him the Ruler, because that is what He is. It is fitting to call Him King, Lord, or Sovereign Lord. But if you want to touch His heart, call Him by the name He loves. Call Him Abba. Call Him Father.

Some time ago my daughter and I spent several days in the old city of Jerusalem. One afternoon, as we were going out through the Jaffa Gate, my daughter and I passed a group of people. From that crowd we heard the voice of a small child. “Abba!, Abba!” we turned and looked. There was a little girl, perhaps four or five years old. She had become separated from her family. As people hurried past, she stopped and was afraid. “Abba!, Abba!”

Out of nowhere, her father appeared. From his hair and clothing, I knew that he was a Hasidic Jew. When he heard his child cry out Abba!, he realized that his child had been separated from the family. I watched closely; I wanted to see what an abba. 

He hurried toward his child. Nothing could stop him from reaching his daughter. Quickly he lowered himself to her level. He held her tightly and looked into her face and wiped away her tears. He gave her reassuring words. Then he stood and lifted her up. The child then wrapped her arms around her abba-'s waist. The father took her by the hand as they walked down the slope. When they stopped at the busy street, the child stepped down from the curb, and the father pulled her back. When the traffic light changed, the father led her and her siblings through the intersection. On the road, the father carried the child in his arms and they continued on their way.

That is what an Abba. Isn't that what the Lord has done for us? When we were lost, He found us. When He found us, He lowered Himself to our level. He wiped away our tears and gave words of counsel. He lifted us up and led us home. You have an Abba.

You have an Abba.

if you want to touch His heart, call Him by the name He loves. Call Him Abba. Call Him Father.

I know what some of you are thinking. Yes, the Lord does that for some people. For good people. For strong people. Not for me. I am not special. I am just an ordinary person.

Is that really so? Because I read something different. Based on what I read in the Bible, you are not an ordinary person at all. I read that if you say “yes” to Jesus, He says “yes” to you, and that if you give Him your heart He will answer by giving you His Heart.

I read that Abba “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3).

That you are a “new creation, the old has gone, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

I read that you have “obtained the promised inheritance” (Eph. 1:11).

You are “...heirs and will receive it together with Christ”      (Rom. 8:17).

I read that you are “ambassadors for Christ...” (2 Cor. 5:20)  “...the fragrance of Christ...” (2 Cor. 2:15) and that you are being transformed “...into the likeness of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).

I found that you have been “Delivered... from the power of darkness and transferred you into the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). I read that “no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28).

Ordinary? I don't think so. I read that if you “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). “Truly, whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name” (John 16:23).

I even read this: “The Spirit who is in you is greater than the spirit who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). The you who used to be ordinary is no longer that way. You are not your old self anymore. You are:

• A child of God (John 1:12)
• A friend of Christ (John 15:15)
• A member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27)
• One of the saints (Eph. 1:1)
• Redeemed and forgiven of all sins (Col. 1:14)
• Made complete in Him (Col. 2:10)
• Free from condemnation and set free. (Rom. 8:1–2)
• God's fellow worker (2 Cor. 6:1)
• Seated with the Lord in Heaven (Eph. 2:6)
• God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
• A citizen of Heaven (Phil. 3:20)
• Adopted into God's family (Eph. 1:5)
• Born of God, the evil one cannot touch you (1 John 5:18)
• For you were bought, and the price has been fully paid. You belong to Him (1 Cor. 6:20)
• Cannot be separated from His love (Rom. 8:35)

It seems Abba loves you very much! If you have taken the name of Christ, then you will have influence. When you speak, the Lord will hear. If you pray, Heaven will take note. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Your prayers will affect the work of God.

Why is that? Because you are God's child. You have a good Father... a very, very good Father.

A quote from Max Lucado's message in Worship Night in America.

© Max Lucado, July 2016