A day of solitude is pretty rare, Father, but I give You praise for helping me make it so productive. Sunday preparations are well underway!
Romans 8:14-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of my fondest memories of my time at Kohl’s was seeing the many instances of fathers and their young sons strolling by the jewelry counter, hand in hand. I may have said something about it once or twice but all in all, I just enjoyed seeing it.
When you’re there in that moment as a father, more than likely you don’t think a thing of it. But from my point of view, it is priceless. It is something that should be cherished, for too soon that time passes, and it will not come again. I don’t think even a grandfather holding a grandson’s hand in the same way, has the same meaning.
There is that bond between father and son, that is like no other. As time marches on, at least in our culture, it becomes a thing we don’t do. The only other time when some might take advantage of the moment is when the end of days is coming and a son will hold his father’s hand, grasping for one last connection before it is gone once more, never to return.
I began tonight’s time by readying myself to read through verses 14-17 of Romans 8, but as I read verse 14 from the Amplified Bible, I felt compelled to go no further. That would be my focal point, but then my eyes drifted to the notes for the next verse and once again I paused.
Verse 14 from the Amplified Bible reads,
For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
The Amplified Bible actually emphasizes the words I underlined and bolded – allowing themselves to be led…
For the point of reference here is verse 15,
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
We are God’s children! In the Roman culture of the day, adoption gave the adoptee the full rights and privileges of a child born into their adoptive families.
The note for this verse refers to the word Abba,
An Aramaic word used by young children when addressing their fathers, but not used by Jews in prayer because it implies a sense of familiarity. Jesus’ use of the word emphasized his Father-Son relationship with God.
We too, as God’s children can joyfully cry, “Abba! Father!” as we allow ourselves to grasp the hand of God as we walk along through life.
Time moves along in this life of ours, and things change. But I for one am grateful that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
The first portion of Malachi 3:6 proclaims,
“For I am the Lord, I do not change…” AMP
Hebrews 13:8 proclaims likewise,
Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. AMP
Precious Lord, take my hand!
Feb 20th, 2023, Mon, 6:52 pm
