You Have Been Adopted
Jen and I have wonderful friends who’ve adopted two children. We initially got to know one another when I did their pre-marriage counseling and wedding over 20 years ago! Since then, we’ve spent years hiking, camping, and running together. We’ve enjoyed innumerable meals, game nights and a shared life in general.
For a few years, they walked through the grief of infertility and would periodically share that struggle with us. One evening when Laura was pouring out her heart to Jen, I happened to walk by. With all the sensitivity of an elephant tiptoeing through the tulips, I said, “Have you ever considered adoption?”
Apparently, the Lord used that question to get them thinking (Remember, the Lord even used a donkey to speak! See Numbers 22). After prayerful consideration, they applied with our local Christian adoption agency. It wasn’t without challenges! They made the choice at great cost to themselves. But today, they have two beautiful children. What a joy to see how God has answered their prayers and created this beautiful family!
Adopt is defined as “to take by choice into a relationship” or “to accept formally and put into effect” (Merriam Webster). This wonderful couple has chosen to formally take these two precious children into relationship with them. Now, the kids enjoy all the rights and privileges of being in this new family. These two kids have more to be thankful for than they realize!
In the same way, our Heavenly Father has adopted us. This means He has taken us, by choice, into a relationship with Himself.
In Ephesians 1:3-5, the Apostle Paul testifies to this reality:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…”
The Father intentionally chose you and adopted you because He wanted relationship with you! He acted out of love for you and is delighted to be in relationship with you!
Just like our friends are thrilled to be parents, our heavenly Father is thrilled that He is your Dad and that you are His adopted child.
Dear Saints, do you know you are adopted, chosen and precious to God by His choice?
If you do, then your life will be transformed just like the lives of the two children our friends adopted. Your present and future are now radically different because of who your Father is. And that relationship is permanent through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Praise be to God!
When I first wrote this devotional, it released around the 19th anniversary of 911, the day terrorists intentionally crashed planes into the World Trade Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The terrorists that day were attempting to earn a place in heaven through their violent and destructive actions. They tried to combat evil at the cost of their own lives. Yet, this is completely antithetical to the Biblical truth of what God did through Jesus Christ.
As opposed to making us pay the cost or earn our place, Jesus paid our sin debt so that we could be adopted. There is nothing left for us to do.
Dear Saints, you can live as holy, blessed children of our Heavenly Father because He has chosen to adopt you and bring you into His family. Praise God!