In this Names of God reading plan, we are learning more about God by studying the names given to Him in Scripture. Rather than having our writers share their own reflections on these passages, we’ve instead provided research-rich content to aid in your study of each day’s featured name of God, including the background of the name(s), a brief explanation of the character of God emphasized by the name(s), and a reflection question to help you dig deeper into the text.
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Father
Ab (Hebrew), Pater (Greek)
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-6, Psalm 68:4-6, Jeremiah 3:19–22, Mark 14:35-36, Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:1-7
Description
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to address God as “our Father” (Mt 6:9). When He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus cried out, “Abba, Father,” using personal and relational names for God (Mk 14:36). Abba is an Aramaic word, from the Hebrew Ab, for “father.” Pater is the Greek word used for “father.”
These are deeply familial names when used to address God. Belief brings us into a close yet respectful relationship with God, the holy Creator of all things. Father is a reverential yet personal name for God.
Emphasis
The personal, familial, and intimate name for God
Reflection
What does this name teach me about God?
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36 thoughts on "Father"
Abba, I belong to you.
He is a good good Father!
I an a child of God
God wants a personal relationship with me. A relationship like that of children and their parents.
I read a quote last night by Tim Keller that says, “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.” Because God is my Father, He sees what is best for me. I don’t want to rebel and live in a parched land. He desires for me to drink deeply from His well of salvation, grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, etc. I have THAT kind of access to Him through the Spirit and Jesus’ shed blood. I can ask Him to give me a drink from His everlasting spring of water every minute of every day.
Love this.
I love that quote- I can wake my Father up at 3 am for anything because I am his child.
I am an earthly orphan, both of my parents having passed very tragically and unexpectedly from this earth. But to know my Father in heaven loves me, wants relationship with me, and watches over me is so comforting. It makes the perils of this world so much easier.
As I read today’s reading I was reminded of a journal entry I made from a few years ago:
My youngest son is obsessed with Neapolitan Mastiffs. He loves ALL dogs, but the Neapolitan Mastiff is his one, true love. Recently as I watched him pour over a Neapolitan Mastiff book he’d gotten from the library (one he’d been waiting to pick up from on hold for FOREVER) I thought, “I wish I could get him a Neapolitan Mastiff. He would LOVE that!” Then suddenly my eyes filled with tears as I realized that’s how my heavenly Daddy feels about me. He sees the desires of my heart and He wants to give them to me. Now I’m not going to run out and get my son a Neapolitan Mastiff for various reasons. Similarly God doesn’t always give us those desires, or in the timing we want. He knows things we don’t, He knows what’s best for us or what best accomplishes His purposes or that that thing we want will tarnish and fade…. But I believe that His heart is tender towards the desires of our heart, most especially when those desires also reflect the desires of His heart. So crawl up in your Daddy’s lap and share the desires of your heart with Him. He may just be waiting for you to.
❤️❤️❤️
“Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.” I never have to stand on tiptoe, or shout, or wave my arms around to get His attention. He is ready to hear from me, bending over to listen always, because He has made me His child.
It’s my birthday tomorrow. (I’m turning one year less than what I remember thinking of as SUPER OLD). And yet, on Sunday, at my cousin’s wedding, I sat on my dad’s lap for a bit, waiting for the next part to happen. My dad loves me. I’ve always loved my dad and there isn’t a part of me that doubts that my dad’s lap is where I belong. Even as an old grownup. He’s my dad. He’s strong and capable and I belong with him.
I have a portion of that with God. But I’m pressing in for the ‘whole shebang’. God picked me! He loves me! And he always has time for me! Yes, I belong in the arms of my Daddy God!
God is my Father. He’s in charge. He watches over and out for me. He wants the best for me. He wants me to be a reflection of him and his parenting. He disciplines and stewards me. He knows what is good for me. He’s my biggest fan, believes in me, and wants my dreams to come true. He’s my protector and defender. He fights for me, always comes for me, and always finds me. He’s my comforter and helper, my safe place, my go to. He cherishes me, adores me. He loves me. And not for anything that I have ever done for him, will do, or can do. He loves me because I belong to him, because I’m his.
This is such a beautiful personification of our Father!
How comforting to know that HE is my father.
God knows me personally. He is an unconditionally loving Father.
God is my True Father. Even when my earthly father may disappoint, my Heavenly Father never will. He is always available, He has an open door policy. I am so grateful to be able to call Him my Father.
I am an Heir because God is my Abba Father…we will never write me out of His will…grateful for His never-ending love and adopting me! ❤️
Today’s reading reminds me that God’s plan for me is personal. He wants the best for me, like my own birth father, even when His plan doesn’t make sense to me. I can’t be short sighted, and I need to see past the small details of pain and hurting (miscarriage) as part of His bigger plan for me.
This is my heart as well. Currently experiencing my second miscarriage in 6 months. Much love!
Thank you, ladies. I truly appreciate your kind words. ♥️♥️♥️
Even though God is the King of the universe, He actively seeks out a personal relationship with me and because of His sacrifice, I am now a beloved daughter and co-heir. He is the most merciful, generous, loving, and capable Father and being close to Him is such an incredible gift. God is so perfect!
Sometimes I feel like an orphan- my mother has passed and my father has not been in my life.
But God…
He reminds me that I am not alone. He is my Father. And when my mom passed, God provided me with “parents” from my church family who have taken me in and and treat me like their own. It’s a beautiful thing. Thank you God for caring for me and providing a family for me through my church. I am forever grateful <3
I have a similar history too. Feeling very loved today and taken care of by our Father. Thanks for sharing.
Just want to say ESP Kelly, Kristen, Churchmouse: thank you for your beautiful truth that added to my study today! I so often with there was a heart or like button on these – only to show how I appreciate the truth shared, how it adds to my worship and understanding … OR to add my prayer to whatever request is shared. The person could see how many of us are praying for her. This used to be a feature years ago. Hmmm, Maybe it is on the app.
Amen my friend! Amen! Whenever I read “father of the fatherless,” ever since my daddy has passed away, it reminds me that I’m never alone in this world.
He cares for me as a father. As my Father He wants only the best-the Very Best- for me. ❤️
God created all people but as a believer I have been adopted into God’s family. He is my Father and I am His beloved child.
So grateful this morning for this personal relationship that God allows me to have with Him.
Thank you for this study. I am enjoying it so much
Do I respect my Earthly father? Yes, I do now as an adult. As a child, I would do what he told me but was it out of respect? I am not sure. However, I do know that I, as a child, adored my dad. He was the smartest, most talented, and handsome guy around. He was my thermostat to the world. If he was fine then I was fine, no fears or worries. He was always fine.
So now, I ask myself whether I adore my Heavenly Father or not? Do I adore Him with that same child-like adoration? I want to adore Him in the same way or even more.
He is the Most Holy God, yet He is our loving father! So amazing! He loves us deeply, cares for us perfectly and sacrificed for us eternally, the ultimate Father.
I like what was stated above. Belief brings us into a close relationship, yet respectful relationship with God. I pictured Him just today holding me in comfort. It’s like you can feel just feel His presence! That brings such peace and protection. Sometimes He can use people to put their arms on us and not speak, but just be there for Him. I agree that He is our Father, but we should also remember He is Holy and be in awe of His greatness and majesty. Dr. Charles Stanley asked in a message when the last time that we were on our knees I prayer and in reverence to Holy God? He said he gets on his knees everyday before God. He said to do battle in prayer and wait to hear from God. He had had answers from praying and spending time with God. We should wait and expect to hear from Him.(I’m paraphrasing) I know we can and should pray anywhere, but I believe he is right that we should get on our knees in reverence and admiration of who He is!
God is the best dad. He knows me fully and His arms are ever open wide. His door is always open. He always takes my call. He listens attentively. He answers thoughtful and truthfully. He knows my motives. He disciplines lovingly. He forgives. He gives me second and third and… chances. He knows my weaknesses. He knows my failures. He always calls me His daughter. My name is listed in His will. All that He has is mine. I’m His heir. Yes, He’s the best dad. Even, and especially, when I am not the best daughter.
❤️❤️
He is the truest form of Dad. He is trustworthy, good, a safe place, always loving and always kind.
Amen!