Today's Unshackled Echo was previously published on
March 1, 2015.
A couple of days ago, I finished the book Before Amen by Max Lucado, and when I added it to my Goodreads read shelf I decided to glance at a few of the reviews. The first review I read rated the book three stars, and the preacher's wife who wrote it explained that her main issue with the book came from the admonition to go to Our Heavenly Father and refer to Our Mighty God as Daddy. She and all the folks who replied to her review agreed that it felt wrong to do that, and that it didn't show God nearly enough reverence. I saw that word "reverence" repeatedly. So I thought about it for most of the rest of the day, and I came to the sad conclusion that these folks have missed t.
My initial response to the review and comments went along the lines that when Jesus taught us to pray and gave a model pray for His followers, He didn't say "Our Father." I'm not sure how that began being translated as such, but it's obviously hurt our image of God some. I think because God as Father doesn't help much for the masses who've suffered devastation at the hands of broken, flawed and often absent men failing at the role of Father. No, Jesus didn't say "our Father." Address God as "Daddy in heaven." That's really what he said. Abba is the most intimate, childish version of Daddy in the Aramaic. He told us to come to God as little children, and He told us to pray to Daddy.
But, what about reverence? There are many examples of reverence, but the one we seem stuck on is that due a mighty king. So imagine with me a mighty but loving king on a glorious throne. His subjects enter His court, along with some visitors from foreign lands. They stop talking. No one speaks without being spoken to, They all bow the knee to this man and revere Him. They are there to seek help, because the enemies of the kingdom have gathered at the gates and threaten to destroy the kingdom and its inhabitants.
The queen, the king's bride, enters with a four-year old little boy in her arms. He squirms out of her arms and begins running across the court yelling, "Daddy! There's horses and men out the gates! They look mean!" The king scoops the young prince into his arms and whispers, "Shh. It's OK. Now be quiet. Daddy's busy."
The boy sits in his father's lap and listens as dignitaries and ambassadors come before the throne, bow and in eloquent and carefully chosen words both request the aid of the king and express their doubt that even all mighty king's men and horses will be able to handle this foe. The prince is obedient in his silence as long as he can be, but finally he's had enough. After one more person says, "Oh mighty King, defender of the helpless, ruler over us all, you surely must realize that the opposing ruler is as dangerous as he is vicious and evil, and we are in dire trouble!," the boy can stand it no longer.
"No, we're not in trouble! My Daddy can do anything! He can win this battle without even getting tired!" The king smiles and chuckles at the boy's confident faith. The onlookers gasp. And so do we as we think of the scenario.
But that's what we're supposed to do. Remember that we are the little princes and princesses, not barely tolerated subjects or visitors. Run to Him. Throw ourselves into His arms. Yes, He is mighty. Yes, He is King. But He's also our Daddy. My Daddy can fix anything! My Daddy can do anything! My Daddy's got this. Who in the above scene truly showed reverence, complete awe, worship and respect for the king? The boy. I'm not scared, my Daddy can beat this enemy, quiet this storm, supply.......
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