Day 3

01 Feb Day 3

Abba-Father

WRITTEN BY: Jacob Morgan

Scripture: Luke 15:20-24 NLT– “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.”

Read Luke 15:11-31 for the full parable of the prodigal son.

Observation: A son wastes his father’s inheritance, indulging in things of the world. His money is about to run out, a severe famine sweeps through his land, and he begins to starve. He persuades a pig farmer to hire him, and after becoming so desperate and hungry, he’s ready to eat pig food. Knowing his father’s servants are able to eat regularly at least, he returns to his father, begs for forgiveness, and asks to be his servant. His father embraces him with open arms.

Application: Do you feel like you’ve hit the bottom of your rock bottom? You’ve fallen down a dark well, and there’s no way to climb out? You’re panicking, terrified, lost, and alone. Look up from the bottom of the well. There’s one calling your name from the top. He’s waiting for you to reach out to him. And, as soon as you reach up, he will take your hand. Suddenly, the well wasn’t as deep or as dark as you thought.

There was a point in my life when I was spiritually bankrupt at the bottom of that well. I didn’t just not have money, but I had no sense of direction. I felt alone as if God had forgotten me. Like the prodigal son, I indulged in wild living (money, sex, drugs) thinking doing so would make me feel good. Instead of satisfying me, the lifestyle almost ruined me. Though my soul was starving for something my actions could not fulfill, I was stuck repeating the same mistakes over and over. Spiritual pig food was starting to look tempting.

Fortunately, when I saw others who appeared well-nourished spiritually because they had a joy I never knew, I decided to make a change. I knew I wanted a reprieve from the pain but I was nervous about the things I had done. And I was worried about the things I still wanted to do. Could God save me? Just like the father in the story, our heavenly Father is there waiting for us to surrender and come back to him. As soon as we make the decision, he runs to us and showers us with love. This illustrates who God is as our Abba. He is a loving Father, there for us in our time of need no matter what. 

Surrendering to God’s will was the greatest thing I ever did. Though it’s not easy, it’s been so freeing.  It started with me saying “I can’t do this anymore.” I now feel protected and safe knowing that he has a plan for not just me, but for you too. As it reads in Galatians, “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:6 NLT)  No matter what we have done, what we are doing, or what may happen in the future, God is our loving father and we can call out to “Abba” whenever we need him.

Prayer: Dear Abba, I come to you today your humbled child. Thank you for saving me from that dark well. Please forgive me for my sins. I know that you love me despite the things I’ve done. I turn my life over to you. Protect me from falling into the dark wells of life. Allow your love to shine through me. Use our relationship to show others what a loving father you are. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Jacob Morgan/Communications J-Teamer

Jacob has been coming to the Journey for almost two years now. He is currently attending JLI (Journey Leadership Institute). He serves on the Photography Team and is part of Infuse (where musicians and singers ramp onto the Worship Team) with the Journey Worship Team

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Next Steps:

Try calling God “Abba or Father” in your prayer time today.

Identify the issues you struggle with, run back to God with them, and ask for forgiveness.

Release the shame and guilt of your past mistakes or failures.

Check out this devotional from YouVersion; [The Love Of God] The Prodigal Son

Listen to “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin to be inspired and worship

Come back tomorrow and read Day 4 of this devotional!