Abba

Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Galatians 4:6-7

THE RELIGION OF Islam portrays Allah as an aloof, distant potentate who has no personal connection with his followers. Hinduism features millions of gods, few of whom are “nice,” let alone good or gracious. Buddhism doesn’t even have a god in its belief system. Other religions—such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism—teach that we can achieve godhood or that we must work for our salvation, or they promote views of a god that is not the God of the Bible.

One of the great truths about God is that he is personal. He wants us to know him intimately and deeply. In fact, one of the first things that happens to a new believer is what the verses above refer to: we begin responding to God as “Abba, Father.”

Abba is the Aramaic term for “Daddy” or “Papa.” It’s an intimate word, reserved for those who would crawl into God’s lap, look into his face, and say, “Daddy, can you help me with this problem?”

God promises that he will personally make himself real to us and that we can experience an intimacy with him that is unparalleled in our world. Today, bask in your relationship with a personal God.