Galatians 4:5
“so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons”.
When I think of adoption the first thing that comes to mind is that this was a disadvantaged child. Someone didn't want him. Many circumstances cause this. It could have been an unwanted pregnancy, the mother may have been a teenager, the parents may have died or in jail, the parents may have been down on their luck and couldn't care for the child and so on.
The adopting parent wants a child. Many circumstances cause this, a couple may be childless due to physical problems, one may be single, one may want to provide a home and hope to a child and so on. The last one was God's motive. He wants to adopt all of us.
We may have had great parents, a wonderful upbringing and living a great life. However, a godly adoption is still necessary. The early part of the verse states the reason, "so that He might redeem those". We all need this redemption. We all have the stain of sin and to make it into heaven, it needs to be paid for. Jesus did that.
As he forgives and cleanses us, He also adopts us. What is life like to an adopted child of great parents? There is constant love and nurturing. God does that. While He is the invisible parent, He is present and monitors the circumstances of our lives carefully. Romans 8:28 says that He works all things out for good. While not all circumstances are good, He can miraculously work them for good.
All of the promises of Psalm 23 become ours. He is our Shepherd, therefore we won't want. He will provide for us. He also deals with the idols we have in our hearts. These are the things we want in an unhealthy way. He works with our attitudes, so we put those things in proper perspective.
"He makes us lie down in green pastures, He leads us besides the still water and He restores our souls". He makes sure we have enough nourishment and water. He works through us. We might be going the the desert of an experience, yet He fills us.
He becomes our Father. The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates His role. He isn't demanding. The son asks for the inheritance before the father dies. The father knows He can't change his mind. The son needs to learn this lesson. How wonderful to have a caring Father that won't force His will, but let's us learn the lessons. Many think God is harsh and distant. Not true.
The Father constantly looks down the road in hopes the son is coming home. Many of us need to feel wanted. We think if we were gone, would anyone care. God does. When the son returned, the Father ran to the son, hugged and kissed him and threw a party. The Lord allows us to do what we want, but rejoices so when we return.
He's given us hope. We all need this. We might seem advantaged, but empty in that God built hole. Only He can fill it. When we are His, He does fill it and it never goes hollow. We can end up in the desert of circumstances, but God's with us and He keeps that hope warm in us. The jews emerged from the desert and ended up in the promised land. He does the same with us.
We've got a home in heaven. This was a big reason I accepted Christ. I wasn't sure where I was going. It's been 41 years for me that I've had the peace that I'm His and will enter His kingdom upon my death. Not that I've been good, but because Jesus paid for my sins and He promised me heaven if I would accept Him. What a great gift.
Everyone yearns to be the focus of someone. For someone to ask of our day, to root for us, to be sad when we're disappointed. While God isn't a person to be present, He is all of those things. We feel this. The next verse in Galatians says, 'Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"'
Lord, thank You for this wonderful adoption. You've given us a home, a new Father, hope, a career, hope and a home in heaven. It is so great to be Your child. Thank You.