Abba Father

Mark 10:14b-16 – "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then [Jesus] took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. (NLT)

Never, ever have these eyes witnessed such an awesome example of childlikeness — the state of being that Jesus spoke of in today's Scripture. I ask myself how something so powerful, so beautiful, could come through such a small child. But every time I think of little Izzie's example, my eyes mist up, and my heart softens.

We were having a family evening in front of the television. My sister was visiting and had brought along her youngest grandchild Izzie. Izzie and my son were roughhousing in the family room. Their play was loud and wild! While running about, Izzie accidentally hit her grandmother, who was seated comfortably on the sofa. It was just a small tap — one that most would not even have noticed. Yet, as soon as this happened, the wee one stopped her play (no small thing) and came and stood at her grandmother's knee. Stretching forth a tiny hand, she proceeded to speak in the most cotton-soft tone. Although her words were for the most part gibber, they were spoken slowly, softly, and absolutely straight from the depths of her heart. At the end of her gibber sentences, we could make out two words: "I sorry". And as if once were not enough, she repeated herself, saying, "I sorry." Then she gently climbed onto her grammy's lap and placed her head on my sister's shoulder in an act of tender love. As soon as all was done properly, Izzie resumed her play as if nothing had happened. She had given all and asked only to minister love to her beloved grandmother.

Thrilled by the adoration of it all, I had to ask myself if I had ever stood before another or my Lord this way. Have I ever just spoken to Him from my heart, asking only that He know that I was saying, "I sorry"? Oh! The childlike love and trust witnessed that evening!

It is no small thing to know that the kingdom of God is populated with souls who love, honour, and adore their Lord and others — grown children who, by the love God has placed in their hearts through Jesus, do say, "Abba Father!"

Prayer: Lord, we who are Your children praise and thank You for this gift — being able to walk lovingly, boldly into our Father's throne room of grace and pour out our hearts like the child You would have each of us to be. In childlike love and trust, we follow the example of our Lord Jesus, who taught us to say, "Abba, Father". Amen and amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook