A good friend recently returned to her native country, Argentina, following several years of living abroad.
I attended her going-away party and entered into conversations with many of the other guests. In doing so, I noticed that some excused themselves from the table and headed to another room to care for a child or two.
When one woman put on a medical face mask and picked up a box of ointments and syringes, I began wondering what was going on. I soon learned that my friend’s church strives to tangibly live out Matthew 25:36, “I was sick, and you cared for me,” by adopting orphaned and abandoned children who have special needs.
I watched in awe as the adoptive parents of the precious boys and girls administered diabetes shots, assisted a young son in a wheelchair, adjusted a catheter that had slipped, and nourished a daughter through a feeding tube.
In an extraordinarily beautiful way, these parents were demonstrating the gift of adoption each of us is afforded through Jesus Christ, as presented by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:5-8.
Despite our brokenness, God “decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” Why did God do this? Because “it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5). Paul delivers more good news: “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
Through adoption, God “has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:8). And for that and so many other reasons, “We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son” (Ephesians 1:6).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 8:26-40
More:
Read Matthew 18:5 and consider Jesus’ heart for needy children.
Next:
Why do you think God experiences pleasure by adopting us into His family? What does it mean to you to be adopted by your heavenly Father?
sim jing ying on October 19, 2016 at 6:03 am
From my opinion, God experiences pleasure when adopting us into His family because He loves us from the beginning and wants us to come back to the creator and not the creation. To my opinion, it is my greatest joy to be adopted by Him as I experience His love, joy, peace, comfort and the fruits of the Spirit every nanosecond or you can say my whole life.
Gary Shultz on October 19, 2016 at 6:09 am
Roxanne some things just defy human logic. We ask a lot of “why” questions in life and if a believer that multiplies questions maybe even into the category into wonderment. Even to think of those parents who have sacrificed themselves for others, we wonder why God has chosen us. One reason has become evident to me, although simple at first glance, is because He can! No other being can do what God can and will do. To say it brings Him pleasure is still something that makes questions. I’m not very pleased with myself often, I just have to know God is able, God is willing, and He calls to us to come, because He can. No one twisted God’s arm, with great thought and intent God sought us. With full intentions God adopted me/us, He has enough to care and take us to His glory. He must see a lot more that His grace will accomplish in us. To be loved and adopted is to know how intentional God has been with us. Praise Him! Thanks Roxanne
gagirllive on October 19, 2016 at 11:06 am
“To be loved and adopted is to know how intentional God has been with us.” Intentional—that’s the word that resounds within my mind. I just couldn’t let that go without comment, Gary. It encourages my heart and fills me with so much gratitude to know that I have been “hand-picked” on purpose by God. Adoption—Wow, no one is ever chosen by “accident”. Thank you for this thought, BWO.
gagirllive on October 19, 2016 at 7:02 am
It’s mind boggling, Roxanne. To be sovereignly chosen by God is something that is truly difficult to comprehend. The Bible teaches that we come into the family of God by both the new birth AND by adoption. It’s not that some of us are born into the family and some of us are adopted. It’s both, simultaneously. Even more mind boggling, right? From my pea brain, I understand this to mean that through the new birth He gives us life and through adoption He gives us legal standing with Himself. It’s like having a double assurance of becoming His. And that is what I believe brings Him pleasure—making us His. He did this to secure us to Himself—to make us family. Our God is personal and relational, and it is His greatest pleasure to be reconciled with us. That has always been His plan. It means so much to me to know that I am wanted and chosen by Him—no longer a broken, poor, lonely, and rejected orphan. He has given me the promise of Psalm 68: 6. “God sets the lonely in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity…” Praise His glorious name forever and ever! Thank you, Roxanne, for this beautiful devotional. Manifold blessings be upon you. Grace and peace to all my adopted family members. ♡
Tom Felten on October 19, 2016 at 8:26 am
Roxanne, it’s beautiful to see so many believers in Jesus actively adopting babies, children, and youth today! In our local fellowship, children have been adopted from around the globe—many with disabilities. Praise God for how His Spirit is touching hearts to love these precious ones the way He loves us.
tccarr on October 19, 2016 at 8:30 am
Psalm 118:22. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” I cannot help but believe, that these rejected children have become the cornerstone of these parents lives. The joy these parents receive, could not have come from any other source. I am a cornerstone.
youssef1777 on October 19, 2016 at 9:33 am
SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD . I CAN HELP THOSE KIDS BY HELPING THEM BY SAYING COMFORT WARD TO GIVE HOPE IN LIFE .