March 5, 2019
By Steve King
Recently two words have refused to leave me alone. The two keep replaying in my mind.
Sometimes they shout and drown out everything else. Other times they linger in the background and whisper so that I am compelled to pause to hear what they are saying.
The two words are like strong friends determined to stick with me and usher me into a place of lasting hope.
When I remember the two words, worry, lust, anger, frustration, and selfishness lose their grip on my soul.
Each of the words enhances the beauty of the other and are like lights shining on awe-inspiring monuments on a dark night.
One of the words points to people, the other directs us to God.
I think the two words are from God and are inspired by the Holy Spirit. I think this because the two words zeroed in on me when I was memorizing some Scripture in which they are dominant.
Jesus told His disciples to begin their prayers with these two words, and thus reserved them for those who are born again by faith in Him.
The two words—“Our Father”—give us a double reminder. “Our” reminds us that we are not alone; we have a global forever family! “Father” helps us recall that we have the ultimate, perfect, unchanging, ever-on-duty, constantly available, all-powerful, all-wise, all-knowing, perfectly holy, just, and ever-loving, heavenly father.
I hope the two words attach themselves to you like they have to me. If they stick, you will never be the same.
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ (Matthew 6:9-13)