Abba - Papa!

Do you ever have preconceived ideas about how the LORD is going to show up? That's a foolish thing, isn't it? He is a God of surprises, a Father who knows what we need more than we know how to ask!

This past Friday evening my home fellowship group felt that after our Shabbat dinner we should plan to stay late and enter into deep intercession over our nation. During the week several of us had felt a call to repentance. We spoke about how we felt if we repented on behalf of our country, the Holy Spirit would surely come in glory and power, and give us instruction on what we are to do in order to navigate difficult times ahead. We thought there would be much weeping and intercession, and a powerful visitation of the Rock of Ages!

And so we gathered in the living room, beginning with worship. We sang old hymns we have not sung for a long time, giving great glory to God. We prostrated ourselves and we cried out to Yahweh, asking His mercy over our nation that has strayed so far away from Him. Then we made a decree: "O God, we will keep silence before You until You speak through one of us."

After what seemed like a long wait, He did come, and He did speak. He spoke through one of the men, but not with this man's usual voice. The Voice was very still, very small, and as tender as a Daddy comforting his toddler with a scraped knee! Ever so gently the Voice spoke to us: "Little children, what are you worrying about? Why are you afraid? I am your Papa. I am here. Relax. Rest in Me. Don't worry. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near you. I am your Papa. You are my children. Trust Me."

That was it. No lightning. No blast of the trumpet. No angelic visions or shaking or falling! Just a Loving Papa, dandling his little children on his knee, reminding us who we are and Whose we are!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him we cry 'Abba - Papa!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:15-17)

I believe now that if a day comes when I am attempting to overcome fear and suffering in the midst of calamity, I will recall that still, small Voice in my memory, and once again hear Him say, "I am your Papa. You are my children. Trust Me."