I have four children. As adults they have ended up living far apart from each other. But even though they live in different states and are separated by many miles, they still have a close relationship and care about each other. However, when they were younger things weren’t always so peaceful and calm. There was the normal sibling rivalry, bickering and teasing. One of the favorite taunts of the older ones was to tell the younger sister or brother that Mom and Dad had found them in a cow pasture or in a dumpster. The implication being that they weren’t really a part of the family. They must have been adopted!

None of my children were adopted, but I do have a niece who was. Her parents told her from the time she was small that she had been adopted, but I had not thought to tell my daughter about it. One day my niece decided to inform April, who was several years younger than her, of that fact. My daughter’s reaction was surprising! She came running to me in tears, sobbing and crying, “She’s not my cousin!” I assured her that indeed she was! When a child is adopted they are grafted into the family tree. They become a part of that family.

Adoption is a beautiful thing! I realize that many adopted children come from dire circumstances and sad situations. But when those children are adopted, they are loved and valued. I also have a nephew who is adopted. Because he came to us through the foster care system, it took some time before he was officially adopted and legally became a member of our family. It was a day of celebration! Even now the family celebrates his “adoption day” as well as his birthday.

Did you know that God is in the adoption business? Psalm 68:6 tells us that He sets the lonely in families, and we are assured in Psalm 27:10 that “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” God cares about our familial situations. But there is more! God has an even greater adoption available to us! He wants to make us His very own children!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those that believe in His name. –John 1:12 I will be a Father to you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. –2 Corinthians 6:18

But what does it mean to be adopted by God? It means we now have an intimate, close relationship with our Creator. He is no longer just a distant, Superior Being. He is a Father we can go to without fear and trepidation. We can come into His Presence with confidence and trust. In fact, because we’ve been adopted we can call Him “Abba”, an affectionate term similar to Daddy.

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves, but instead you received God’s spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father”. –Romans 8:15

Some years ago I observed a young father weeping with overwhelming love as he held his newly adopted baby boy in his arms. I think God does the same with us! He holds us in His loving arms of protection and rejoices when we accept His offer to become a part of the family of God. What great love He extends to each of us!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! –1 John 3:1

Brandon Lake sings a song about the confidence being a child of God gives us. Here is the link to his song simply titled “Adoption Song”: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=09jKFvCG2Nk

If you would like to be notified of future posts, please subscribe below: