Chosen and Adopted

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  John 3:1a (NIV)

I’ve heard several adoption stories, but the story that has always touched my heart is that of Terry Meeuwsen, a presenter on CBN, the Christian Broadcasting Network. When she got married in her early thirties, she didn’t think she would have children, but God graciously blessed her and her husband with two children. But their family grew when God led them to adopt two children whom they lovingly welcomed into their home. They thought their family was now complete. But God had other plans.

Some years later, Terry was interviewing a couple who had gone to the Ukraine to adopt a child. During the interview, she heard about a teenage girl at the orphanage who was prepared to stay behind so that her two younger siblings could be adopted. Since the couple had not intended to adopt all three girls and didn’t want to separate them, the girls were not chosen, but remained in the orphanage. When Terry heard this, she was profoundly touched. She and her husband had no intention to adopt more children. But God stirred something in her heart, and He opened the way for them to adopt the three sisters.

Chosen To Be a Child Of the King

I can’t imagine what it feels like growing up without biological parents. What it feels like not to be chosen and welcomed into a family. I can imagine the three sisters must have felt rejected. Forgotten. But Jesus has not rejected or forgotten us. As His followers, we are His children. In fact, He has given us the right to become children of God.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13 (NLT)

In Christ, we are no longer orphans but beloved children of God. Adopted into His family (Galatians 4:4-5). We are chosen, not forgotten. We are children of the King with every right to His incorruptible and eternal inheritance. As children of the King of kings, we walk with confidence, with our heads held high. We walk knowing we have exchanged the filthy rags we wore as orphans for His robe of righteousness. For His royal robes. For His crown of glory.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)

Child of God, you cost Christ too much for him to forget you. Charles Spurgeon

Reflection:

Do you feel like a spiritual orphan? God has not forgotten you. he has chosen you as His beloved child.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, there are times I feel forgotten. Times when I don’t feel like Your child. Lord help me to throw off this orphan mentality that overwhelms me sometimes. Clothe me, Lord, with Your royal robes of righteousness. In Jesus’ name, amen.