God's Hope for Orphans: Every Child Deserves a FamilySample

In the beginning, God established a planet with a plan—create a being with the capacity to love and build a unique relationship with them. In essence, God’s desire was to design an extraordinary family with the human race. However, we chose a different path. As wayward sons and daughters, we struck out to find our own way, apart from the loving Father who conceived our existence. And we received what we wanted—a life apart from God and heading towards death. Enter Jesus.

The relational triune God came to restore what was lost. Driven by love, with the weapons of grace and truth, Jesus came to offer us the opportunity to receive what we once held as a birthright. To all who would choose it now, the right to become a child of God is offered to us in Christ. We can once again become part of the family of the creator. To be a Christ follower is to be restored once again to “family” status—to be a son or daughter of God.

Family has always been God’s plan for us, spiritually and physically. Everything God is doing in the world is aimed towards building an eternal family. In a very real way, family is everything to God, and it can be for all who seek it. We can move from being an orphan in this world to a family member in God’s kingdom. In a way, the family that we experience here in the temporary sense serves to foreshadow of what’s to come. Marred and stained as it is, the love and grace we see in our own family sets the stage for the deep love and grace we receive as a child of the living God.

Unfortunately, the orphan has no point of reference for this type of relationship. Recent statistics reveal that 99% of orphans will never know the love of a family through adoption. Legal issues, complex adoption processes, and the prevailing institutional model often prohibit children from ever experiencing what God wants for all of us—to be in a loving family. Similarly, there were challenges the Father had to overcome to make it possible for us to find a spot in His family, but through sacrifice, Jesus made a way.

Together, and with God’s power, we can express the heart of God to see children experience the love of a family now. Every child deserves to experience today a glimpse of what lies ahead. Every child deserves a family.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for your perfect plan to welcome us into your family through the love and sacrifice of Jesus. Just as you long for us to be restored as your children, we pray for the countless orphaned and vulnerable children who have never known the love and security of a family. Move our hearts and guide our actions to become part of your solution to ensure that every child can experience the love of a family here on Earth. Let us reflect your heart, so that these children might have a glimpse of the eternal family you desire for all of us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

About The Hope Effect:

This devotional was provided by The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way the world cares for orphans. To learn more about biblical approaches to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children through family-based care, visit hopeeffect.com .