She has a beautiful wrinkled face, tiny hands with perfect fingernail chips, folds of fresh new skin; miniature eyes, nose, and mouth – she’s a newborn! After nine months of mysterious formation within the darkness of the womb she suddenly bursts forth into the world and into her family!

“She has her mother’s eyes.” “I can sure tell who her parents are!” “Now that’s your nose!”

Relatives and friends gaze into the little face and see the undeniable image of her mom and dad. Mother and Father stand proudly, rejoicing in their daughter, a miracle! A new member of the family!

As loving parents, they will naturally feed, protect, nurture, guide and discipline this child.

Why? Because they love her and want what’s best for her.

God has children too: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,” writes John, “that we would be called children of God; and such we are” (1 John 3:1).

When God called Abraham He promised to make him into a great nation: “And I [God] will make you [Abraham] a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).

In other words, God declares, “Israel is My country and her people, the Jews, are My very own sons and daughters: “Now then,” God says, “if you [Israel] will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant [the Law of Moses], then you shall be My own possession [i.e., My own special treasure] among all the people, for all the earth is Mine.” This is why the Bible refers to God’s people, Israel, as “God’s Chosen People.”

Down through the ages God has been faithful to feed, protect, nurture, guide and discipline His “Chosen People.” Why? Because He loves them and He wants what’s best for them.

Back to my opening illustration. Do you think the proud parents of this bouncing baby girl would allow anyone in any way to harm their precious child? Not without consequence! “If you touch MY daughter, you’re going to have to deal with ME!”

God feels the same way about His children. He goes on to tell Abraham, “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3).

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6-9) and for “all who are in authority, so that we [the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ] may [continue to] lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2).

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)