Oh God, My Father.

 Oh God, My Father

A Reflection on Psalm 103:13, Romans 8:15, and 1 John 3:1

Oh God, my Father—not a distant, cold, commanding voice,

But the One who makes my broken heart rejoice.

Abba, Father—tender, near,

The One who casts out every fear.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13)

My Father—not a judge who waits to strike,

But the Shepherd who leads me, the love I cannot lose.

He runs to meet the prodigal, He lifts the fallen one.

His mercy never fails me; His will is always done.

Oh God, my Father—provider of daily bread,

Healer of the wounds inside my head.

He clothes the lilies, feeds the birds,

And holds me in His faithful words.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

My Father—when I am weak, He is strong,

When I am lost, He guides me along.

He does not turn away in shame,

But calls me gently by my name.

Oh God, my Father—I come to You as a child,

With all my mess, all my questions, all my wild.

You are not intimidated by my doubt,

You are not tired of my shout.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

So I rest in Your embrace—not because I am worthy,

But because You are my Father, and You love me dearly.

In times of joy and times of pain,

I rest in You, and I remain.

Oh God, my Father—I am Yours, and You are mine.

In Your love, I am defined.

Forever I will call You "Father,"

My Abba, my Redeemer, my all.

Amen.