January 11, 2012

In English history, noble children were given over to a head servant in their formative years to be raised, taught, and nurtured.  When they were grown they were given back to the noble parent who would publicly acknowledge and claim them.  The father would present them in the marketplace and declare that wherever his son writes a check or makes a commitment, he will back it up.

This concept can be likened to Jesus' baptism and commissioning.  Jesus was given to a trusted servant, Joseph, and when He was grown His Father publicly claimed Him and with that came the fullness of Heaven backing Him up.  Jesus lived to set a perfect example for us and died so that we could be adopted too.  The Father has claimed us and given us, as rightful heirs, the same inheritance and backing.  

Our adoption by the King can be best understood not as a kindly family taking in a needy child, but more like the embracing of a daughter-in-law:

She falls in love with a son,

She  takes the family name, and

She becomes a joint heir.

It is vitally important to know who we are as royal children: adopted, claimed, and loved as children of a King.  To see ourselves, not as poor orphans lucky to have been taken in, but as the beautiful sought after daughters-in-law who were wooed in and given all rights and inheritance that our firstborn husband is heir to.

It is only from this place of sonship that we are able to lead effectively, and reflect the Father's life giving love.

Who He is TO you, is who He'll be THROUGH you.

Thank you Paul Manwaring for your wisdom and impartation today.  This daughter just stepped into the throne room in jewels instead of rags!