Biblical Wisdom for Adoption

1Hope ministries, whom I served with in South Africa, posted on their blog today about the importance of thinking biblically about adoption. They included this link to John Piper's blog. It is a short article with some well-thought-out and scripturally-backed-up disavowals and affirmations regarding adoption. A great article to take a moment to read!

I have been reading "Follow me" by David Platt. In the first few chapters (I'm in the middle of the second one), he has painted a vivid picture of adoption. He points out that the child does not look for the parents, but the parents seek out the child. The child does not come to the parents, instead the parents go and rescue the child. In the same way, if you are a believer, your heavenly Father has sought you; he has paid for you; he has rescued you. He has made you part of His family and will come to bring you home someday. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 says, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,.." I love that. He has CHOSEN you. It was not an accident. It was not forced. You were not the only one left. He WANTS you! How sweet it is to know that the Father loves us. Let's rejoice together, marvel in his grace and mercy, and enjoy the fragrance of his love.

The Death of Death

Tonight I teared up as I read this post. It is by Clint Archer, a pastor in Durban, South Africa- a country very dear to my heart. He shares the story of a wreck that killed 24 people 10 miles from him. I am familiar with the crazy habits of taxis who cram 15-20 people into them. In this wreck a truck's breaks didn't work and it demolished a taxi full of unsuspecting people. Archer also shares two videos of the wreck. I watched them more than once, stunned by how quickly a life can end. We don't ever think that will be us. If I am honest with myself, I picture a long life ahead of me, and then I die in my sleep at 90-something. But we are not guaranteed that, nor does Christ ever hint that that is the goal in life.

Pastor Archer points out that it is good to sometimes dwell on the inescapability of death, quoting Ecclesiastes 7:2-4. He is right. We all need to remember that death can come at anytime. It will spur us on to live our lives to the fullest now. It will also fill us with an urgency to share the gospel with our the unbelievers around us right now! Let us not forget, the time is short!

As I let the shortness of life spur me on to good works, I also am meditating on the truth that once and for all Christ has defeated death.

Isaiah 25:8-9

He will swallow up death for all time,

And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,

And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;

For the Lord has spoken.

9 

And it will be said in that day,

“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.

This is the Lord for whom we have waited;

Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

Praise God for undeserved salvation! Praise God that we can look forward to eternity with Him! Praise God that death has lost its sting and sin has lost its power!