Thou Shalt Call Me

 

Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 15

 

…Thou shalt call me, My father;

Jeremiah 3:19

 
Our God loves us to realize his paternal relation to us, 

  and to acknowledge the same in our approaches to him.
 
A father can do what no one else can.
 
He can forgive the basest conduct.
 
He can love the most deformed child.
 
He can receive the most ungrateful prodigal.
 
He can bestow the most costly favour.
 
He can exercise the greatest patience.
 
So our God because he is a Father, 

  pities us, 

  acknowledges us, and 

  rejoices over us to do us good.
 
Let us dwell upon this sweet view of the Almighty.
 
Let us pray as to a Father.
 
Let us work as for a Father.
 
Let us expect as from a Father.
 
Let us trust as in a Father.
 
Let us love God as a Father.
 
Let us speak of him as of a Father.
 
Let us place our confidence in him as in a Father.
 
Let us seek the Spirit of adoption, 

  if we have it not, to bear witness with our spirit 

    that we are the children of God; 

       to cry, Abba, Father, in our hearts; and 

        to enable us, without fear or wavering, 

          to call him our Father.
 
O how much sadness it would prevent, 

  how much comfort and peace would it bring to our souls, 

    if we lived under the impression that our God is our Father!
 

Abba, Father, Lord we call thee,

(Hallowed name!) from day to day:

‘Tis thy children’s right to know thee,

None but children Abba say.

 
James Smith