Abba, Daddy

My husband and I love song lyrics.  They tell such amazing stories and stir up all kinds of great feelings and emotions.  Since our first daughter was born seven years ago we have found a specific song for each of our three girls that described our feelings towards them each individually; a song that we dedicated to them and labeled as "their song".  My husband chose the Kenny Chesney song There Goes My Life for our middle daughter.  She loves listening to it and loves when her daddy sings it to her.  She could listen to it over and over again.

The other day they were out running an errand together and that song came on the stereo.  The part of the song that says,

Oh yeah..........he loves that little girl.

Momma's waiting to tuck her in,
As she fumbles up those stairs.
She smiles back at him dragging that teddy bear.
Sleep tight, blue eyes and bouncin' curls.

He smiles.....
There goes my life.
There goes my future, my everything.
I love you, daddy good-night.

My husband was singing along with it and glanced in the rear view mirror and realized that our daughter was in tears.  He quickly asked her what was wrong and she said, "Daddy these are happy tears.  I am happy because you love me so much."  It was one of those precious moments that he will never forget.  Her gentle little four year spirit recognized the great love that her daddy had for her and it moved her to tears ... beautiful!

"Jesus addressed His Father in a special, most intimate way when He was in the depth of suffering- His dark night of the soul.  He was in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His arrest and crucifixion on the cross.  He prayed, 'Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will' (Mark 14:36).  Abba is the Aramaic word translated 'Father' and is used in the spirit of a tender, affectionate child in much the same way as a child today would use the word daddy.  Jesus used Father in His prayers much more often than other Jewish teachers and writers.  Because of our new relationship with God through Christ, we may employ this display of affection, this expression of endearment, Abba, Father." - Catherine Martin, Trusting In The Names Of God Devotional.

The Great Yahweh who created the Heavens and earth is our Father ... our Daddy if you will. We are His precious children and nothing, and I mean nothing, in all eternity means more to Him then us.  He weeps when we when are hurting, He basks in joy and excitement when we are happy, He is heartbroken when we turn away from Him.  His love for us is never ending and pure.  We have the incredible privilege of coming to Him in the intimate way a child goes to their daddy.  

When we are hurting we can turn to Him and take refuge in His loving arms and His arms are ALWAYS open and willing to take us in.  No matter what we have done, even if we have walked away He is still lovingly waiting for our return ... no strings attached.  He provides the most pure love that we could ask for. 

Charles Spurgeon says, "If an earthly father watches over his children with unceasing love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father?"  Maybe you have experienced unconditional love through your earthly father, maybe you haven't ... no matter the circumstance you have Abba who loves you dearly.  Get to know Him, rest in Him, delight in Him.  There is nothing He desires more then you.  He gave His precious life so that you may have life.  Catherine Martin asks, "Will you  crawl up into the lap of your Abba, Father now and lay all your cares and worries in His loving arms?"   

In Closing This Series:
I encourage you all to read the book Trusting In The Names of God by Catherine Martin.  I have explored in my blog, Yahweh, Yahweh Nissi, Yahweh Jireh and Abba which are some of my favorites.  Her book explores many more of His names that are so incredible.  When your really get to know our LORD in all His different elements, it allows for such a deeper understanding and appreciation of Him.  Dig into this book and watch your faith grow in beautiful strides.

The Eternal I AM

But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.” -Exodus 3:13-15.


Until I read Martin’s chapter on Yahweh, I never really grasped the power behind His name. Yes, I "feared" God and I knew that He was the Almighty, Most High, Creator of heaven and earth but the power never really hit me until I learned more about it.

A little background on the name Yahweh: The Hebrews revered His name as so incredibly Holy that they would not even write or speak the name Yahweh in its entirety. The name held such importance and power that they felt unworthy to let it roll off their lips. They usually replaced it with Adonai or my lord.

If you think about it “god” is a general term. Many cultures worshipped different gods. A god was, and still is, considered a greater power and an unknown deity. Around the world different cultures claim to worship the same god but through a different name … but He isn’t just a god … He is THE GOD. He has ONE name. I think it’s fascinating that God showed the world who He was through His name. He isn’t known as just “God” the unknown deity. He personified himself by using a name. He is set apart.

I always think of Moses asking God who he should call Him when addressing the people of Israel, “I AM, WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Or when Jesus said, "'I tell you the truth … before Abraham was born, I am!'" (John 8:58).  "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). It literally gives me chills to think about those words. My lowly words cannot even express the significance of what that means.  HE WAS, HE IS, HE IS TO COME.

Think of Him … His power, His image, His ultimate majesty ... If you truly grasp and understand the depth of His being, how could you not fear Him? I know that for me personally, after I recognized the significance of His infinite power I dropped to the floor on my knees, head buried in the floor. I felt so unworthy and small. It’s unreal to imagine that He in all His glory could love me, little ol’ Sarah, but He does … The "I AM" is my God and though unworthy, I am so grateful of His love and adoration of me. 

There is a song out there by Phillips Craig and Dean that I think truly puts into words Yahweh in all His greatness. I highly encourage you to read the lyrics or listen to the song here . Draw near to Him and give Him the praise and adoration that He deserves. Thank Him for simply being Him.

Yahweh Jireh, The Lord Will Provide

The six month of his unemployment was about to dawn.  We had used what little savings we had to cover our costs for the previous five months and we were literally down to the last few dollars.  He had sent out hundreds of copies of his resume, been on dozens of interviews and nothing ... We had made it this far and been ok but what next?  What happens when those last few dollars are spent and our income is non-existent?  There are three children here .... How will we feed them?  Will we lose our house?  An indescribable fear hung over our heads as we contemplated our future.  I pleaded with God saying, "Please, please, please God open up doors of opportunity.  Take care of us as we continue through this time of uncertainty.  Please provide for our family and don't let us drown."

And then a day like any other day came upon us.  He was off to yet another interview.  His stomach was in knots as he believed that this interview, like all the others would result in nothing, leaving us at the bottom of an empty well.  I went about my afternoon caring for the girls as usual when the phone rang ... "Well ???"  I asked expecting to hear another "we'll call you if we find that you're a fit".  He answered back, "Well they loved me.  They took me right in to talk to the Colonel and he hired me on the spot!  I start immediately."  My heart lept as relief washed over me... Amazing!   He got a job- and not just any job, a job in the field that he had been pursuing.  A job that would not only take care of our family, but that he would be extremely happy in- something he hadn't been in years.  God answered our prayers ... He provided for us in our deepest time of need.

                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you imagine how Abraham felt as he traveled up Mount Moriah knowing that he was about to sacrifice his son?  To lose a child is a tragedy in and of itself but to lose a child that God blessed him and Sarah with, a child that fulfilled such a significant promise ... I cannot imagine that angst he felt as he made that journey.  Despite everything he obeyed God and didn't question His command.  When Abraham reached the point where he was instructed to sacrifice Issac he laid down his son and raised his arm, knife in hand ... "Lay down the knife, " the angel said.  "Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God.  You have not withheld even your beloved son from me."  Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush.  So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering on the alter in place of his son. Abraham named the place, "The Lord Will Provide" ... (Genesis 22:12-14). 

Yahweh Jireh, The Lord Will Provide.  Throughout the Bible we see other examples of God providing for needs that seemed otherwise impossible to meet.  Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fishes.  After a night of catching nothing, Jesus instructed His disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and they were overwhelmed with the enormous catch.  Peter caught a fish that held a coin, a coin that would pay his taxes.  The Lord will provide!

Today we still face various needs.  Whether the needs be monetary, emotional or physical we all have them!  Take heart that God is a God who provides.  God does not wish to see you drown in your troubles.  He has the ability to help you through anything and He wants to help you through everything.  Trust in His provisions.  When you think that there is no hope and that there is no way that life could iron itself out trust in His provisions!  Seek Him and make your requests known to Him and don't get discouarged if His provision isn't exactly what you had in mind ... He sees things crystal clear and His plan and provisions may be better then what we expected!  I close with a verse that so simply expressess His desire and intent to provide for us ...

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6:26-30

Trusting In The Names of God - Intro

A couple of years ago I read the book, Trusting In The Names Of God by Catherine Martin ... if you haven't read it already I highly recommend it!  God has recently put that book and its message on my heart again so, I am going back through it and want to share some thoughts with you along the way.  To start, I am re-posting an old post I wrote on my favorite name of God.  I hope that you enjoy these next couple weeks as I journey back through Trusting In The Names Of God ... God has really placed this topic on my heart and encouraged me to share!  Stay tuned for a fun give-away coming soon!

In my quiet time today I was led to read my Trusting In The Names Of God book by Catherine Martin. The book talks about all the different names of God and what they mean, how to use them, etc. I turned to the chapter on Trusting in Yahweh Nissi – He is your Victory. It spoke to me and a dozen of you came to mind. I felt called to speak this message, if you will, to you. I thought I would highlight some of what the chapter talks about and hope that I don’t bore you but instead inspire you to know that despite your present circumstances Yahweh Nissi (God) is on your side fighting your battles and if you let Him, He will bring you victory!


“What does knowing Yahweh Nissi tell you about yourself? You need someone to fight for you and bring victory in your life. The Lord is the one who fights for you. Run to Yahweh Nissi when you need victory in the battle you face today. What will the banner of the Lord look like in your life? Some scholars suggest that Moses’ upraised hands represented prayers and petitions and intercession on behalf of the people of God in the heat of the battle.


What banner do you hold in your life? Is Yahweh Nissi your banner? Or do you carry the banner of self, believing you are the only one to fight the battle? Or do you carry the banner of money, believing if only could be a millionaire, you could win your war? Or is the banner of position your reliance, believing if only you could have the perfect job, your problem, whatever it may be, will be solved?


When you are in the heat of the battle, think of Moses and the staff in his hand. When he had the staff high (trusting and following God’s commands) in his hands, Israel won, and when it fell, they began to lose. And so it is with you – defeat is sure if you hold up any banner but Yahweh Nissi. Victory is certain if you hold high your banner, Yahweh Nissi. Look to the Lord to fight your battles. Cry out to Him. The Lord will give you wisdom every step of the way as He leads you.


Pray in the heat of the battle and watch the Lord win the battle – He is victor! Oh, how exciting to watch Yahweh Nissi gain the victory in a life, whether that life is your life, a family member’s or a friend’s. Joy is your great response in praising Yahweh Nissi. Nehemiah taught the people of God, ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength!’ How can you rejoice in Him today? ‘Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work and His righteousness endures forever!’ Psalm 11:2-3” -Trusting In the Names of God, Catherin Martin.

Last words – from ME!

Times are tough for everyone right now. We are all facing different battles today, this week, this month and this year. I feel pledged to tell you that you are not alone! Ask Him to help you, stay in His presence, petition your needs to Him, and intercede for those around you who are struggling … He will answer. Our God is not a God who neglects or turns His back. He LOVES us and He wants us to succeed and prosper. He does not desire to see you bound to the ground in hopelessness and despair. He desires you to stay with Him and trust Him. If you let Him, He will bring you out of your battle as the winner!!! And most importantly, it is so easy for us to come to God with our problems and plead for help (He wants us to!) but even in the midst of our battles we need to praise Him! Like the last couple of sentences above we must have joy in the Lord as that is our strength! I encourage you read the words of the song, ‘Praise You In This Storm' by Casting Crowns.

I encourage you friends and family who are struggling to turn to Him, don’t turn away, place yourself closer then ever before and He will show you a victory in your battle. You, my friend, cannot win it yourself, you are simply incapable, but with Him you can do anything! I will remember you and your situation in my prayers this week …