Have you ever heard people discuss (or sometimes argue) over the appropriate name to call God? In the Old Testament, He is referred to as Elohim (the Creator), El Shaddai (the Almighty), El Elyon (the Most High God), Yahweh/YHWH (the God of covenant), Adoni (Lord), and Hashem (the Name), to name a few. And then there are the eight redemptive names of Jehovah:
JEHOVAH-JIREH: the
Lord our Provider
JEHOVAH-NISSI: the Lord our Banner
JEHOVAH-SHALOM: the Lord of perfect Peace
JEHOVAH-TSID-KENU: the Lord our Righteousness
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: the
omnipresent One
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: the Lord of Hosts, our Protector
JEHOVAH-RAAH: the Lord our
Shepherd
All these names are wonderful and certainly describe our God, but if you look at the Gospels, you will find that Jesus came to reveal God by one name, and one name only, and that is Daddy, which is Abba in Hebrew. How do we know this? Because every time Jesus addressed God, He called Him Father or Abba, except while He hung on the cross as He took on the sins of mankind. Basically, Jesus came to usher in an age where God is now our Father, our Daddy. No longer is He distant or far away, separated from us by sin, but He is near us, His spirit is IN us, He is as close as a loving parent. Just as He is Jesus' Father, He is our Father. As much as He loves and provides for Jesus, He loves and provides for us. Read all of chapter 17 of the Book of John to get an idea of the love the Father has for us--Jesus prayed and thanked the Father for it before He went to the cross.
All these names are wonderful and certainly describe our God, but if you look at the Gospels, you will find that Jesus came to reveal God by one name, and one name only, and that is Daddy, which is Abba in Hebrew. How do we know this? Because every time Jesus addressed God, He called Him Father or Abba, except while He hung on the cross as He took on the sins of mankind. Basically, Jesus came to usher in an age where God is now our Father, our Daddy. No longer is He distant or far away, separated from us by sin, but He is near us, His spirit is IN us, He is as close as a loving parent. Just as He is Jesus' Father, He is our Father. As much as He loves and provides for Jesus, He loves and provides for us. Read all of chapter 17 of the Book of John to get an idea of the love the Father has for us--Jesus prayed and thanked the Father for it before He went to the cross.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:11-12
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. John 20:17
You'll also find the Apostle Paul explaining this very simple truth in his letters to the Romans and Galatians. The simplicity of the Gospel comes down to us believing we have a heavenly Daddy who loves us and is there for us. Unfortunately, many of us believers have a hard time accepting that truth because of wrong denominational teaching, the pressures of negative experiences, and the weaknesses in our relationships with our earthly fathers. All these facts create barriers to our faith so that we live weakened, defeated lives instead of walking in victory as God's sons! Remember, facts can change, but the truth never does! The truth is what the Bible declares and what the Holy Spirit gives witness to: God is now our Daddy!
So the next time a well-meaning Christian wants to debate you on the correct name to call God or the correct pronunciation of Yahweh, relieve him or her from their bondage and declare the good news that God is their heavenly Daddy!
Just as your children call you Daddy, call on your heavenly Father as Daddy! That's how He sees you--you are His beloved son!
