In his book, Satisfied, Jeff Manion talks about the concept of adoption in ancient Ephesus. Infant exposure was practiced in ancient Greece when babies were unwanted or considered cursed in some way. People dumped the unwanted children in a field near the giant amphitheater in town, and if someone wanted to find a slave for free, they could decide to "adopt" one of the abandoned babies to raise it for a future servant.

However, Ephesians talks about how we have been adopted as sons (Eph. 1:4-5). We were rejected and abandoned, left to die, but God chose us, picked us up, and claimed us as His children. We are His sons and daughters.

This not only affords us great value, it gives us great responsibility. We are now responsible, as members of God's family, to welcome in the children He adopts every day. I don't know what it's like to be adopted, but I've heard from those who do that the acceptance of biological children has a big impact on the child's assimilation into a family. As current members of God's family, we can show the world that this is a loving, welcoming place to be, or we can give the impression that all we do is bicker and judge.

Let us not get in the way of the Holy Spirit's work in the hearts of those He is wooing to the Father. When we encounter individuals in our churches or workplaces or neighborhoods who are seeking, let us be the future siblings to welcome them into God's family. Let us be the ones to tell them, "We have been adopted as sons, and we want you to know the love of our Father, too."

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
~ Romans 8:28

I used to be uncomfortable with this verse. It seemed prosperity gospel-ish to me, and that sort of thing never appealed to me. Sometimes the way it was taught to me came across as, "Love God, and you'll have a good life," which is not scriptural. Love God and you'll have abundant life, yes, but the Bible never tells us life will be happy.

However it was explained to me, I was looking at this truth with the wrong definition of good. I used to think good was happy, easy, or wealthy in relationships, possessions, and experiences. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers a definition of good (noun) as "something that is right or good" and good (adj.) as "of high quality." Good things don't have to be easy or happy because good is so much more than that.

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
~ Psalm 119:73

Psalm 119, as I mentioned yesterday, is all about how good God is and how good His Word is. The reason God's Word is good for us is because He knows what is good for us. And who better than our Creator, who fashioned every element of who we are - physically, mentally, and spiritually?

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,  intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
~ Psalm 139:13-16

Our Father in heaven knows best how to give us good in our lives, the kind of good that comes from basking in His goodness as we walk with Him. He was involved in every process of our conception, development, birth, and growth, and no matter how tragic or unexpected those circumstances might have been, He is using them for your good and for my good.

We were never promised happiness or ease, but we can trust the Lord and obey His Word with confidence, knowing that He will give us good - what is right, true, best for us. He will give us abundant life, drawing from the source of Goodness Himself.

As I read Psalm 119 this morning, I noticed two things.

One, the author loves the Word of God. He loves it. He doesn't just appreciate it or feel blessed by it or thankful for it; it is top on his list of amazing things in his life.

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (v. 10)

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (v. 14)

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. (v. 20)

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statues. (v. 48)

When someone tells you to make a list of things you're thankful for, what is the first thing you tend to write down? Is it your home, job, or health? For me it is almost always the people in my life. I usually list my husband, parents, and brother before anything else. There is nothing wrong with my gratefulness for them.

Yet it hit me as I read Psalm 119 that the Word of God is the only thing in our lives that can't be taken away and can't be shaken. My family, friends, job, health, home, food, and everything else can be taken, but the Word of God cannot. What if we loved God's Word so much and spent so much time thinking about it and storing it up in our hearts that it became the first thing that comes to our minds when we think of our blessings?

Here are just a few reasons the Scriptures are the greatest blessing in anyone's life. God's Word tells us who we are; it shapes our identity in the most positive way possible because it tells us we are God's children, the Beloved of Christ, Friends of God, Chosen, Redeemed, and New. It reveals who God is: Alpha, Omega, Redeemer, Savior, Counselor, Friend, Father, King, Prince of Peace, Lord. It explains how we can live abundantly in this crazy world even when it seems like everything has been taken away.

The second thing I saw in the Psalm is that the author's desire to honor and obey God follows something God has done for him. In Christianity, obedience and righteousness are meant to be a response born out of gratefulness to our lavish Giver of a God.

Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statues! (v. 12)

I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. (v. 55)

Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules. (v. 156)

What grace He has poured out on us that instead of drudgery and obligation, we can find life and joy in obedience to His commands. He is truly a good and kind God. How thankful I am for His Word.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
~ Psalm 119:160