July 1 | Galatians 4:4-7

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DAILY READING

Galatians 4:4-7

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REFLECTION

A Promise to Remember

By Katie Borden

If you’ve ever seen the movie “Finding Nemo,” you’ll remember the delightful character Dory, who has the memory span of a goldfish (no pun intended). This is sometimes how I feel reading Scripture. I confess that I forget about the coherency of Scripture’s message about our loving God as revealed by his Spirit in the person and work of Jesus. And when I dig in and study, I find myself delighted all over again at God’s brilliance in his written word–and so grateful for the truth that he communicates to us there.

For example. If you have been following along with our devotion and worship Scripture readings the past couple of weeks, you will probably find that today’s passage rings incredibly familiar. That’s because Paul is using some of the same language here in chapter 4 of his letter to the Galatians as he did in Romans 8. We have been freed from our enslavement to sin and adopted into God’s family through the loving work of our Savior Jesus. We are now heirs to the kingdom of God. 

What does this mean for us? How do we experience this place in God’s family and the promised inheritances in our day-to-day lives? One way is by the gracious pouring out of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our “down payment” on that promised inheritance–the first-fruits of the new creation that we and all who have been adopted into the family of God are promised. The life with God that we begin to experience even now by the work of the Holy Spirit is proof of his promise. 

Back to Dory for a moment, though. I’m more like her than I care to admit. I don’t just forget about the brilliance of Scripture–I also confess that I sometimes forget about the truth that I have a promised, unshakably secure place in the family of God whether I act like it or not, and whether I “feel” like it’s true or not. Sometimes I need to be reminded of the truth that this future is promised to me.

If you’re having “spiritual amnesia” today, hear these words from Paul for you, dear brother or sister: “You are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Gal. 4:7). Thanks be to our loving God that his word is true and unchanging!

PRAYER

Loving God, we thank you for adopting us as your children and giving us a place in your eternal family. By your Holy Spirit, give us faith to continue to believe in your unshakable promise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.