"YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT ... WHEREBY WE CRY, ABBA, FATHER." By this new relationship, God loves us as a father, and He would have us acknowledge this paternal relationship in our approaches to Him. A father will do what no one else would. He forgives the basest conduct, loves the most deformed child, receives the most ungrateful prodigal, bestows the most costly favour, exercises the greatest patience. So our God and heavenly Father, pities us, pardons us, provides for us, loves 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 confidence in Him as in a father. Let us seek the Spirit of adoption 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 it would bring to our souls, if we live always in the sure knowledge that God is our Father!

For Meditation:
Abba, Father, Lord we call Thee,
Mighty God to Thee we pray;
'Tis Thy children's bliss to love Thee,
None but children Abba say.