+DEV+ The Face of the Father

Date: April 20, 2011 11:05 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Face of the Father

The Face of the Father

"Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father'" (Galatians 4:6).
Scripture Focus: Galatians 4

In 1862, Emily Dickenson wrote a letter to her mentor, Thomas Higginson, answering some questions he'd asked. She told him, "My family members are religious, except me, and they address an Eclipse, every morning whom they call their 'Father.'"

An Eclipse! What a powerful poetic image to describe what it's like to not know the Father. To Emily Dickenson, God was darkness, like the moon passing in front of the sun. She couldn't see His face.

The Father wants to reveal His face to us. He sent Jesus for that very purpose because as Jesus said, "When you've seen me, you've seen the Father." He also sent the Spirit into our hearts to teach us to say that one word prayer of deepest intimacy - "Abba." Abba is an Aramaic term that a little child would use to address his father while he's snuggled up on his lap. But it's also the term Jesus used in the Garden of Gethsemane in His hour of deepest darkness. He called out for help to His Abba and we can, too.

Insight: "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18).