For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 NKJV)

Father. Dad. Daddy. Papa.

Some of us had good fathers growing up. Fathers who were there day in and day out. Dads who listened and gave sound advice. Those who provided, protected, and . . . well . . . loved us.

Others did not. Some have never met their father – or had fathers who were physically or emotionally distant. Indifferent. Harsh.

But God. Everyone can have God as their father. When you come to Him by faith in His Son, Jesus, He adopts you into His family. The Bible even says that those who believe in Jesus have the right to become God’s children.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12–13 NKJV)

It’s a privilege to be God’s child – an act of love. John saw the value in this when he said, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a NKJV).

And God is the best Father ever. As His children, we have many benefits.

 

He is with you.

God is always with you. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). Isn’t that a great promise? It’s a promise that your heavenly Father will keep. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV).

 

He is faithful.

God is always faithful. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV). That’s hands-down amazing. His faithfulness isn’t contingent on anything we do or fail to do.

 

He provides.

God gives us everything we need and then some. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17 NKJV). It’s all from Him. He’s the source of every good gift.

 

He protects.

You can always go to your heavenly Father for protection. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV). No matter your situation, seek Him out and rely on Him. He’s working all things together for good, even when you can’t see it (Romans 8:28–29 NKJV).

 

He gives us peace.

We need peace in this crazy world. And God will give us His perfect peace when we keep our focus on Him. As the Bible tells us, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).

 

So can you call God Father? If you’ve put your faith in His Son, Jesus, the answer is yes. Bask in that truth this week. Cry out to your Abba, Father. Thank Him for being a good Father. Spend time with Him. Read His Word and learn what He wants you to know. And enjoy His presence as you walk by faith with Him.

 

Photo by Brittani Burns on Unsplash