The Cry in the Night

All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" - Romans 8:14-15 HCSB

“Abba! Father!” is not the cry of one calling out a calm acknowledgment of a universal truth like a night watchman identifying the passing of the night’s hours. It is the call of a small child for its father from a darkened room, seeking the security of its parent’s arms.

It is easy to look at the darkness of this world and imagine all the bogey men awaiting us around every corner. Unfortunately, the reality of the matter is that not all bogey men are imaginary. There truly are monsters in this world, many wearing pleasantly bland faces. When our backs are turned, their eyes glint maliciously, but every time we turn back, they smile their wolfish smiles as we respond with uncertain smiles.

We are freed slaves, used to chains and dark damp smelly places. Though Christ has liberated us, we still walk with the shuffling limp of the recently shackled, our minds not quite used to the sensation of freedom. We cannot grasp the possibilities inherent in untethered spiritual movement; still easily startled by the coughing sound of the prowling lion.[1] We don’t yet fully understand that our Guide is a lion tamer.[2]

However, our God has given us the gift of the Comforter. A dove flutters about our lives, bringing quiet beauty where only pain and fear existed before. Our constant companion, the Spirit, walks us through each step of each bewildering day. Whenever we turn to the right or to the left, if we listen, we hear this command behind us: "This is the way. Walk in it."[3]

Though the dangers about us a real and the night is long, we have a God who sees all the way to the very center of the Earth and nothing can take us out of His mighty hand.[4] The enemy is entrenched in his spiritual fortresses and his minions patrol the skies, but our God is greater. The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is His name. He threw Pharaoh's chariots and his army into the sea; the elite of his officers were drowned in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. Yahweh’s right hand is glorious in power and with it He shattered the enemy. He overthrows His adversaries by His great majesty. He unleashes His burning wrath and consumes them like stubble.[5] He can enter the strong man’s house, tie him up and rob him at will.[6]

Though we cry out, it should not be a cry of alarm, but of trust. We see the devil’s empty threats, and laughingly point toward our adopted Parent El Ch’ul calling out in derision, “See? That’s my daddy!”


[1] 1 Peter 5:8
[2] Daniel 6:16-22; 1 Samuel 17:37; Isaiah 11:6; 65:25; 2 Timothy 4:17
[3] Isaiah 30:21
[4] John 10:29
[5] Exodus 15:3-7
[6] Mark 3:27