August 3

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! 1 John 3:1.

God made us His children. "He hath sent forth His Son, born of a woman, made under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." "Because ye are sons, He hath sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." By nature, in our natural condition, we are not His children. But in Christ,

God has redeemed mankind; in Christ's name, having the Spirit of His Son, we say, "Abba, Father." "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Already when you were baptized, God came to you and made you His child and an heir of eternal life. This should help us to put all our trust in God.

Behold what love the father has bestowed upon us by making us His children! In Christ all believers are the children of God. The heavenly Father will, of course, be kind and loving to His children. Remember this at all times. It will strengthen your faith, and it will help you to do His will and to refuse to follow all temptations to sin. Luther most beautifully says: "God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that we may with all boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children ask their dear father." Yes, God made us His children and heirs of salvation.

Oh, how we should thank Him for that! But do you ask in what manner you should thank Him? I answer, By always returning to your heavenly Father as often as you go astray. Behold the great love of the Father that we should be called His dear children, clad in the white robes of the righteousness of His dear Son. Oh, let the love of God induce you to walk in love, as the followers of God! "Do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." These are your brethren and sisters in Christ, and God is their heavenly Father.

Prayer.

Lord God, we thank Thee for Thy great love and mercy that Thou didst make us Thy children. Enable us, we pray Thee, to come to Thee with humble mien and yet boldness and great confidence, as to a Father, a kind and loving Father, and with the encouraging assurance that we have an Advocate with Thee, who has told us that Thou, our Father, lovest us. Help us to serve Thee by leading a Christian life out of gratitude to Thee. Have compassion upon us and help us for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Praise to the Lord, who doth visibly bless and defend thee; Who from the heavens the streams of His mercy doth send thee; Ponder anew What the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee.

We have no refuge, none on earth to aid us, Save Thee, O Father, who Thine own hast made us; But Thy dear presence will not leave them lonely Who seek Thee only.