Abba

I was reflecting last week on some things in my life that have been frustrating and stressful lately and a verse came to mind. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” (I wasn't sure where the verse was) It was a verse that reached down and touched me in the present place that I was at. Our table group discussion several weeks ago had a discussion on absolutes and whether God responded to the same situation the same way (does this define His absolute nature?). I do not want to get into this right now, but I do want to note here that I believe that God deals with us individually, personally, and appropriately in each event in our lives. For example, in the times I have struggled over the distance from my dad, each time has been different – different verses, different thoughts, and different revelations. He is the same God – but in the moment, the need is met exactly how it needs to be met.

One of my favorite passages by George MacDonald then came to mind as I was reflecting on the compassionate nature of the Father (since compassion is not a word I would associate with fatherhood). This one touches the deepest places within:

“In my own childhood and boyhood my father was the refuge from all the ills of life, even sharp pain itself. Therefore I say to a son or daughter who has no pleasure in the name Father, ‘You must interpret the word by all that you have missed in life. All that human tenderness can give or desire in the nearness and readiness of love, all and infinitely more must be true of the perfect Father – of the maker of fatherhood.’” (The Heart of George MacDonald)

From the earliest days of my childhood, I could and would tell you “Jesus is God.” And still will if you ask. But what does God as Father mean, Who is Abba? As I have been slowly reading through the gospels looking at the person of Christ, one remarkable thing has stuck out to me. How compassionate and tender Christ is! And Christ is the revelation of the Father.

And then this morning, as I was praying through Psalm 103, His hand was there. For what does verse 13 say, but: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”