Sweet little Samuel--now called a child of Willie and Hannah. Read on to see how this parallels the situation of all who belong to God.
1John 3:1"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;..." This verse is one of my most loved verses of all the Bible. If you take but a few minutes to meditate on this incredible truth, surely your heart will be deeply moved. As always, John Gill has great depth in his comments about it. "...this blessing comes not by nature, nor by merit, but by grace, the grace of adoption; which is of persons unto an inheritance they have no legal right unto; the spring of it is the everlasting and unchangeable love of God, for there was no need on the adopter's side, he having an only begotten and beloved Son, and no worth and loveliness in the adopted, they being by nature children of wrath; it is a privilege that exceeds all others, and is attended with many; so that it is no wonder the apostle breaks out in this pathetic (in this case meaning moving or touching-NS) manner, and calls upon the saints to view it with admiration and thankfulness:..." Truly this should overwhelm our souls and change our lives.
Join us this Thursday morning at 9:30 as we study 1 John 2:28-3:24 and dig into understanding a bit more completely God's great love for us and our essential response.