God desires to be close to us. He sees us as so precious in his sight (Psalm 116:15).

God also takes delight in us with his love (Zephaniah 3:17)

God has even called us his friends, because he sees us as much more than servants, and so works in partnership with us (John 15:14-15).

But not only does God call us his friends, but also his children. He has included us in his family circle.

Family bonds and ties are very strong, particularly a parent and child bond. Its about warmth, tolerance and unconditional love.

Many psychological theories of attachment and parental bonds tell us how powerful these bonds are.

When a parent becomes close to their child and provides them with a secure base of love and care, then the child feels loved and gains confidence to progress and live a fulfilled life.

This is how God is with us. God provides us with so much love and care, and attends to all our needs. He gave us life and ordained it with a fruitful purpose. God also wants us to be close to him, so that we can reach our full potential and experience his joy and promises.

God is eternally patient with us, whenever we fall or drift away from him, he continues to love us. He also continues to father and love those who don't even know Him or love him back. No matter what we do, God will never leave us or love us any less.

Earthly parental bonds can be severed and can fall apart, but God's bond with us is everlasting and can never be broken.

There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

Since we are part of God's family, he will never shun us out. Instead, he has promised to always be with us, love us and work on our behalf.

When we follow God, accept his love and claim our part in his family as 'children of God' (1 John 3:2), we also receive many rewards.

Romans 8:17 tell us about our rewards and inheritance from God. 'Now if we are children of God, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.'

How amazing is that! We are God's heirs! We are entitled to inherit everything God has promised and provided for us. It is our birthright.

We will inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29) and we will also inherit his Kingdom. God has already prepared a place for us in his Kingdom (John 14:2). So we can be assured that we will experience that bliss eternal life God promised us.

The condition of our inheritance is that we remain faithful to God and commit to Him.

God wants us to love him and serve him with all our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).

When we work and live for God, we 'will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward' (Colossians 3:23-24).

God is prepared to give us everything of his, so we ought to also give him our everything too.

We can entrust God with our lives, because our lives are precious to God and he will never let us down.

When we look forward to our rewards and future with God, we will be encouraged to keep going on with everything we face in our current situations, and live faithful and fruitful lives for God's Glory.

Esther ♥