Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes: I am adopted by God (Daily Devotional Guide)

Day 1

"He predestined us to be adopted." (Ephesians 1:5)

Oh, to be secure! Everyone wants it; everyone longs for it. Why? Perhaps security has added significance because we all know the feeling of having the proverbial "rug pulled out from under us" by someone we've trusted. At one time, we had a home in that heart, yet the feeling of rejection sent us into feeling emotionally abandoned.

     Is there a place you can call "home" and not question its future? A place of emotional security? Consider what your heavenly Father has said: "I have adopted you."

     Even though God already has a Son. He choose to adopt you. God does not have to adopt you; He wants you! You are His child...He is your loving Father.

     Thomas Watson expressed it this way: "Since God has a Son of His own, and such a Son, how wonderful God's love in adopting us! We needed a Father, but He did not need sons."

     If you have not had a meaningful relationship with your earthly father, it may be hard for you to fully comprehend a caring, loving heavenly Father. Unlike some earthly fathers, God is always available to you. He will neither leave you nor forsake you--He is with you all the time. He desires to be intimately involved in every aspect of your life. By adopting you, He has chosen you to have full privilege of being His own.

     Many similarities can be seen between God's adoption of us and the legal adoption of a child. An adopted child is not inferior to any other child in the family. An adopted child carries the family name, and his inheritance is secure because he, too, is a legal heir.

     However, there is one difference. The legally adopted child will not receive the same nature as his newly adoptive parents, who have different biological genes and characteristics. Yet, in God's adoption, the child always receives a new nature--the nature of his heavenly Father.

     History tells us that when the New Testament was written, it was understood that an adoption would never be revoked. Do you realize what that means in light of your relationship with God? Once you are selected, you can never be rejected. You will never be emotionally abandoned. You will always have a home in God's heart. Seeing yourself through God's eyes, you are His child forever.

                                          _________My Position in Christ_________

Personalize these verses in your own words:

Romans 8:15 ______________________________________________________________
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Galatians 4:5-7 ____________________________________________________________
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Father, through Your eyes I can see that I... ______________________________________
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I am secure because...I am adopted by God.