Know-Love-Obey God

Jump to Comments

One of my favorite memories from living in Israel is hearing children call their dads “Abba.” It really does mean “Daddy!”

Another favorite memory is the way people said, “I like it!” Maybe someone would find a nice sweater in a store. “I like it!” Or a father would see the result of his child’s work—perhaps a newly stained fence. “I like it!” Or someone would comment on a favorite book. “I like it!”

The words were: Motzeh chen be’enai! Literally: It finds favor in my eyes.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”
- Luke 1:30

Favor . . . Grace.

God says of Mary, “Motzeh chen be’enai!” She has found favor in His eyes. He says of her, “I like it!”

Even now I feel this desire stirring deep. I want to find favor in my Father’s sight. I want to attract His gaze. Look at me, Father! Look at me, Abba…Daddy!

I’ve been collecting ideas on how to attract God’s gaze:

1. Humble, Contrite, Trembling at His Word

But to this one I will look,, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
- Isaiah 66:2

(Here is my favorite article on this verse.)

2. Heart Totally His

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9

3. Suffering for Righteousness
(Oooh . . . ouch)

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly… But if you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
- 1 Peter 2:19-20

4. Gentle and Quiet Spirit

And let not your adornment be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4

5. Worship in Spirit and Truth

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.
- John 4:23 (NLT)

**********

(A High Calling Blogs Random Act of Poetry:)

“Daddy, Look!”
Look, Daddy, lookit! What do You see?
Your grace, it is freely bestowed upon me.
I want You to see and find favor in me.
I want to attract Your gaze.

Father, I know it is because of Jesus that you look on me at all. Thank you, thank you. Your grace…amazing.

(This post prompted by L.L. Barkat, woman of grace. And poetry, too.)