Verse for today – “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will (Ephesians 1:5).”

Blessing number 3, only for those who are in Christ, is that He determined long ago to adopt them as His very own sons and daughters. The word predestined literally means to decide beforehand. The idea is like blessing number 1, being chosen before the foundation of the world. Way back then, knowing who would choose Christ, God decided to adopt every one of them for Himself. Christian, you have a new family. You belong to God! Not like an earthly father or mother with all of humanity’s failures, mistakes, and shortcomings. But a heavenly Father who is completely loving, kind, just, caring, direct, merciful, and patient all the time. God is not soft on sin, yet He will forgive sin. He is perfectly just and perfectly loving. God’s love and justice met at the cross when Jesus died for us. He provided the payment for sin so that we can be forgiven.

What a blessing to be adopted by the great King. As His son or daughter, Christian, you have an inheritance. You have a family. You belong to Someone great and special. You are a son or daughter of the King! Lift your head. Give yourself for the needs of others. Serve with abandon. You are secure in your mighty heavenly Father!