Receiving Jesus we are prompted to call God by the name His Son uses, “Abba, Father.” Abba (Aramaic for “daddy.” Two simple syllables easily spoken by the youngest child- “Ab-ba.” Found in Ab-raham’s name – “Father of Nations). In this verse we see the Trinity revealed: God sending, the Son providing, the Spirit prompting… all so that we who are distant from God may be brought near. And so, we can pray “Our Father, which art in heaven…”
“Perfect” peace. Not partial or mixed, but whole, complete peace. The Hebrews called this shalom. For God to keep us in this state we must “take every thought captive” to bring our thinking into focus on Him. Pulling our thoughts from self-talking worry to talking to God in prayer. Emptying ourselves of any thought that isn’t surrendered to Christ until only thoughts of Him remain. Christ is our peace.
If we are saved through faith, we must live and walk by faith. Self-effort neither saves nor sanctifies. We must learn to lean, being filled with the Spirit, we lean on Him for power and progress. More prayer, less planning. More leaning, less effort.
It is hard work, but the appropriate spankings you give between 2 and 12 will make the years from 13-18 much easier. Physical discipline is non verbal reinforcement that aids in the training of your child’s own self-discipline. When you correct, aim past behavior change to heart change. You correct not to punish, but to discipline. In teaching your child to obey you, you are preparing your child’s heart to be receptive to obeying to God.
The apostle Paul sought only the approval of Christ. He was not a people-pleaser. Whose approval do you seek? Be careful not to water-down your faith in order to gain popular acceptance. Better to be rejected by man and be received into the Kingdom with “Well done!” by Christ Himself.
David wrote this psalm while hiding in a cave from King Saul. He was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel, but Saul had other plans for him. There’s always a tension between our calling and our circumstances. We know that God has a purpose for us, yet it’s hard to see the next step while hiding in a dark cave. At times like these we “cry out” to God asking Him to “fulfill his purpose” in us. May He who called us bring to completion that which He desires in/for us!
The world will not stay as it is. A remaking is ’round the corner. There have been foreshadowings. Little Samuel sleeping in the tabernacle, hearing the voice of God. Young Jesus stumping the teachers in the temple. This part of Isaiah’s prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.
We are always tempted to lean on our own strength, thinking, bank account… But stripped of these, we learn to depend on Christ. Some of us are slow learners and need continual reminders. God is teaching us to rely on Him. Are you learning where to lean?
When Isaiah heard God’s call go out, he answered willingly. God is still calling messengers to go forth. Do you hear His call?
A fool says there is no God, but the wise seek Him. Ironic that the modern atheist claims superior intellect, yet God calls him a fool. The wise search for God, but cannot find Him without revelation. Jesus is the supreme revelation of God. Looking to Christ as Lord and Savior, God finds us. God is looking for seekers.