Weekly Musing - Dawn

In this journey of ruthless trust in Abba, I have been asking Him to speak to me. He responds with keep asking and keep listening.

Learning to listen has been a slow process, but very worth it and rewarding. It is in the listening, being still and receptive with ears and hands wide open, that I hear. Stillness - being still and listening is an art in our busy world. It requires time and solitude. Nature is a favorite place to be still and listen. In walking amongst the trees while the birds sing and the leaves rustle, creates a space and place for Abba to speak. Where is your favorite place to hear from Abba? Do you have one? I would encourage you to find a space and place for being still and listening. You will be amazed at what you hear!

Asking has been a lot harder to navigate. Many of us have a hard time asking for help or asking questions. But I have been learning from Abba, that He is ok with us asking and actually wants us to ask or question.

In John 16:23-24, Jesus says, “In that day you will ask (2065) nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name, Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (4137).

Ask (2065) – to request, appeal, ask, beg, please, pray, question, urge. To ask; to request, entreat, beseech.

Be full (4137) – to cram, level up, to furnish; full, to make full, fill, to fill up, supply abundantly with something, impart richly, imbue with; e.g., to fill with joy, complete.

In Aramaic, the concept of "to ask" or "to inquire" is primarily expressed through the root שָׁאַל (sh'el/sha'al), which corresponds to the Hebrew sha'al. This term is used for asking questions, requesting, or demanding.

Key Aramaic Terms for "Ask"

• Sh'el (שְׁאֵל): To ask, demand, require, or inquire.

• B`a' (בְּעָא): To seek, request, petition, or ask with earnest intent. This is often used in the context of prayer or making a request (e.g., in Daniel).

• Sha'al (שָׁאַל): In a deeper, spiritual sense, this refers to asking out of a real need, connecting one's heart to God.

In Aramaic, the concept of "be full" or "to fill" is primarily expressed by the root

??? (Mla). When referring to being full, filled, or to fulfill (intransitive/transitive), the term is ????? (m'la). Other related concepts of completion include gemar (perfected, finished) or shelem (complete, safe).

Here are the specific, actionable details for "be full" in Aramaic:

• To be full / To fill (Intransitive/Transitive): ????? (m'la).

• "It is finished/paid in full": Often referenced in Aramaic as ???? (Mashelem).

• Complete/Perfected: ?????? (gemar).

The context for these verses is Jesus was speaking to His disciples about them seeing Him and then Him leaving. They wanted to ask about it, but they didn’t. So, Jesus, knowing they wanted to ask Him questions about what He was saying, encouraged them to ask.

Also, a couple of chapters before this exchange with the disciples, Jesus has a conversation with Philip. In John 14:14, Jesus says, “If you ask (154) me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Ask (154) – to ask, call for, beg, demand, worthy

It is in His nature to give and keep on giving. He wants us to have conversations with Him about what is important to us. Yes, He knows, but He receives joy when we share with Him and ask Him.

I remember a time in my life when I asked my father for a dress. My parents were divorced and money was tight for both. I was invited to participate in a pageant right after high school for academics. So, I needed a fancy dress. I went to try on some and fell in love with a light pinkish, purple dress which was out of my budget. I remember asking my dad and he said Yes, he would help me pay for it. I have no idea how he was able to afford it. All I know is that he gave me the money so I could purchase the dress and wear it to the pageant. If our earthly dads want to give us good things and gifts, then why wouldn’t our heavenly Father?

And so, I am learning to ask Abba. In the asking is also the receiving. Am I willing to ask and receive what He wants to give me? It is humbling to ask and receive. One of the meanings for the word ask in the Aramaic is asking out of a real need, connecting one's heart to God. What if in being willing to ask and receive is like listening, being still and holding our ears and hands out wide? We are communicating something important to us to Father who wants to hear from us more than anything. A relationship with a loving Abba.

He isn’t withholding. He isn’t stingy. He isn’t meager or tight-fisted. He isn’t lacking. He has the ability and willingness. He will furnish everything we need. He wants to supply abundantly and impart richly. His words are full of promises and fullness. His heart is for us and wants us to have an abundant life!