Our Father's Love

Several years ago, I was privileged to attend an adoption ceremony that touched me deeply. A special family was adopting a precious little boy. As the official proceedings took place, I experienced a fresh insight into our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Since birth, little Daniel, now 18 months old, had been with James and Sharon as a foster child. Their love for him led them to want to make him their own child forever. As he sat on their laps (completely engrossed in playing with a sticker and clueless to the magnitude of what was taking place!), the judge read the very official-sounding document.

Henceforth, this child would be the legal child of James and Sharon Williams, with all the rights as an heir. Henceforth, his name was changed to Daniel Lewis Williams. Henceforth, James and Sharon were responsible for Daniel.

Then came that moment when signatures and seals finalized the adoption forever.

What a vivid picture this is of our own “adoption” by our heavenly Father. Out of his incredible love, he desired for us to be in his family, a child of the King forever. He signed and sealed this with the life and blood of Jesus. We belong to him.

In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons (and daughters!) through Jesus Christ… Ephesians 1:5

We not only belong to him legally, but we also have the privilege of having an intimate relationship with him as our Father. My Father. The one who loves me completely and perfectly. The one responsible for taking care of me, providing for my needs, teaching me, and correcting me. When little Daniel falls and skins his knee, he doesn’t think of legal adoption; he reaches out to his daddy’s arms for comfort. Because of his birth mother’s drug use, he has some challenges and limits. But that doesn’t change his parents’ love for him. They are doing everything they can to enable him to grow and overcome.

I think there are times when I need to be more like little Dan, times when I need to experience a simplicity of trust and security in my heavenly Father’s arms. Just content to enjoy the moment. Secure, even though there are things I don’t understand. To realize that when I “fall,” when I fail again, when I don’t live up to my potential, my heavenly Father’s love remains unchanged. I can always run to him. Trusting him to know how to care for me, how to comfort my hurting heart. Even how to correct me when I am wrong.

Maybe you haven’t had a good father-daughter relationship with your earthly father and the analogy is a hard one. That’s what is so exciting to think of as we pray to God who is our Father in heaven. He is not just our Father, but Almighty God, able to do anything. He knows how to teach us about our relationship with him. He understands every detail of our lives. He is more than able to accomplish anything we ask.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are. 1John 3:1

Look at those words… the love the Father has lavished on us. He hasn’t just given us his love but he has lavished his love on us.

There are many times when all a child needs is the security of knowing she is loved. At other times, the child runs to her father with a real need, expecting to get the help she needs. We are to pray in the same way. Simple, childlike faith, running to our Father with our problems, trusting that he will know how to meet our needs.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Psalm 103:13

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

We have a perfect Father who knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and how to give us “much more.” Always for our good and his glory.

Elaine has been part of NEWIM for over two decades. She has served on the Springs team in Three Rivers since its beginning, 17 years ago. She is the author of Tapestry, a book of devotion articles. She lives in Fresno, CA and attends Campus Bible Church. Say hello to Elaine at <elainemarie2@sbcglobal.net>.