The Bible teaches that God is our Heavenly Father. The most intimate Aramaic term for father, “Abba,” reveals the depth of intimacy, love, and affection God has for His children. As our Abba Father, God provides, protects, nurtures, and disciplines us. He desires an intimate relationship with us and wants us to come to Him as loving children.
The Meaning of Abba Father
In the Bible, Jesus refers to God as “Abba” (Mark 14:36). Abba is an Aramaic term for father that expresses intimacy and affection. It’s similar to the English term “daddy” or “papa.” By calling God Abba, Jesus was revealing God’s fatherly love and care for His children.
The term Abba encapsulates the close, intimate relationship Jesus had with God the Father. Jesus instructs us to pray to “Our Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9), inviting us into the same intimacy He shares with the Father. As adopted children of God (Romans 8:15), we have the immense privilege of relating to Him affectionately as our Abba Father.
God Provides for Us
A good father takes care of his children’s needs. He provides food, clothing, shelter and protection. Our Heavenly Father also provides what we need:
- He gave us His Son to save us from sin (John 3:16).
- He meets our physical needs like food and clothing (Matthew 6:31-33).
- He has prepared an eternal home for us (John 14:2-3).
We can trust our Abba Father because He promises to provide for us. He knows exactly what we need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8). We never have to worry about God meeting our needs.
God Protects Us
A loving father protects his children from harm. Our Heavenly Father shelters and guards us:
- He is our shield and sanctuary (Psalm 18:2).
- He guards and keeps us safe (Psalm 121:5-8).
- He hides us in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91:4).
With God our lives are secure and protected. We can take refuge in Him during storms of life. He faithfully watches over us and delivers us from evil. There is no safer place than our Abba Father’s loving embrace.
God Disciplines Us
When children disobey, a good father will lovingly discipline them. Our Heavenly Father also disciplines us:
- He disciplines those He loves, like a father to a child (Hebrews 12:6).
- His discipline produces righteousness and holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11).
- He disciplines us for our good (Deuteronomy 8:5).
Though painful, God’s discipline flows from His unconditional love. He corrects us to bring us back into close fellowship with Him. As we submit to our Abba Father’s discipline, it trains us to live righteous, holy lives.
God Nurtures Us
A good father nurtures his children’s growth and maturity. Our Heavenly Father gently cultivates our faith:
- He gave us His Word to nurture our growth (1 Peter 2:2).
- He prunes us to become more fruitful (John 15:1-2).
- He conforms us to be like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
God patiently nurtures our character to reflect Jesus Christ. Through His Word, pruning and the Holy Spirit, He grows spiritual fruit in our lives. Our Abba Father gently cultivates our maturity so we can fulfill His purposes.
God Desires Intimacy
The best fathers have a close, intimate bond with their children. Our Heavenly Father also wants intimacy with us:
- He adopted us as His children (Ephesians 1:5).
- Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17).
- His Spirit testifies with our spirit (Romans 8:16).
God intricately crafted each of us and knows us completely. He wants us to know Him deeply too. Our Abba Father sent Jesus so we could be reconciled into close relationship with Him as His beloved children.
How to Relate to God as Abba Father
Here are some ways we can nurture intimacy with God as our Abba Father:
- Pray to Him – Open your heart to God in honest, intimate prayer as you would to a loving father.
- Study Scripture – Get to know His heart and character through studying the Bible.
- Trust Him – Bring your worries and concerns to Him, trusting in His perfect fatherly care.
- Obey Him – Follow His wise commands with a heart of love and devotion.
- Repent from Sin – Humbly repent when you disobey or displease Him.
- Thank Him – Cultivate gratitude for His daily provisions, protection and care.
- Rest in His Love – Find security, comfort and identity in His unconditional fatherly love.
Drawing close to God as Abba Father transforms us into His image. We begin to reflect His character traits of love, patience, holiness and compassion. Our lives overflow with meaning, security and purpose because of who our Dad is.
God Invites Us into Intimacy
The incredible news of the gospel is that God Almighty invites us into a relationship as His deeply loved children. He gave His only Son to bring us into His family. Our position is now seated “with Christ Jesus in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6). We have the mighty Creator of the universe as our Abba Father!
Some people have misconceptions of God as distant, harsh and unloving. But the Bible reveals God’s true heart as a compassionate, patient and loving Father. He cares intimately about every detail of our lives. He even knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7)! We can confidently embrace our identity as His beloved sons and daughters.
We are God’s Heirs
Not only are we God’s children, but also His heirs! Consider these amazing truths:
- We are fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
- We will reign with Christ in glory (2 Timothy 2:12).
- Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable (1 Peter 1:3-4).
- Our inheritance is kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4).
Because of God’s generosity, we will share in the infinite riches of heaven. All that belongs to Christ will belong to us too! Our Abba Father holding nothing back from His beloved children.
Jesus Reveals the Father’s Heart
Jesus perfectly displayed God’s fatherly compassion and care during His earthly ministry:
- He welcomed children (Luke 18:15-17).
- He comforted the hurting (Luke 7:13).
- He fed the hungry (Luke 9:12-17).
- He healed the sick (Matthew 14:14).
- He gently restored the fallen (John 8:10-11).
Everything Jesus did revealed the heart of God. Our Savior showed us how approachable, caring and patient our Heavenly Father is. We never have to fear coming to our Abba Father because Jesus stands in the gap for us.
We Can Come to God Boldly
Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” We don’t have to cower as slaves before an angry master. We can now come boldly to our Dad’s throne!
Picture a toddler who falls and scrapes her knee while playing. She runs tearfully to her daddy on the couch. Climbing up to her father’s lap, she finds a safe refuge in his arms. Our childlike faith brings us into the safety and comfort of our Abba Father’s embrace.
The Holy Spirit Connects Us to the Father
One of the Holy Spirit’s key roles is revealing God as our loving Father. The Spirit’s ministry helps us relate to God intimately:
- He pours God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
- He confirms we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).
- He reminds us Abba Father loves us (Galatians 4:6).
- He produces family traits like love and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Holy Spirit nurtures childlike trust and affection for our Dad. He empowers us to embrace our identity as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Key Takeaways on God Our Abba Father
Here are key truths about relating to God intimately as our Abba Father:
- Abba Father expresses God’s depth of love and intimacy with His children.
- As Abba, God provides, protects, nurtures, and disciplines because He loves us.
- Our Father desires close, intimate relationship with us as His beloved children.
- Jesus reveals the Father’s gentle, compassionate heart in the Gospels.
- The Holy Spirit produces childlike trust and affection for our Heavenly Dad.
- We can confidently approach God’s throne because of Christ’s forgiveness.
- We are not only God’s children, but also heirs who share in His eternal riches.
Understanding God as our Abba Father transforms how we relate to Him. We approach Him with childlike wonder, trust and intimacy. He welcomes us with open arms into the safety of His lap. Though infinite in majesty, our Dad is gentle, patient and kind. May we nestle securely in His fatherly love and care every moment.