As she stood by the river, something did not look quite right. There among the reeds was a basket. Then she heard crying. It was a baby in the basket! This woman was no fool. She had a good idea why the infant was abandoned, and she no doubt knew that this baby would be a complication for her. However, thanks be to God, “when [Moses] was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son” (Acts 7:21, ESV). I am sure Moses never forgot his adoption story. His name, which derives from the Hebrew verb “to draw out,” must have reminded him daily.

Another hero of the Bible – indeed, the Hero – also benefited from the care of an adoptive parent. Joseph surely knew his fiancé’s baby would complicate the rest of his life. However, Joseph also believed God had chosen him to care for this Child. He obeyed God, took Mary as his wife, and called the baby Jesus.

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Truly, the blessing of adoption must be close to our Lord’s heart, and it is fitting that we celebrate it during National Adoption Month each November and National Adoption Day today, November 23, 2019. This tradition is rooted in President Ronald Reagan’s proclamation of National Adoption Week in 1984. Reagan lauded the central role of families in preserving our society. He declared, “At a time when many fear that the family is in decline, it is fitting that we give special recognition to those who are rebuilding families by promoting adoption.”

President Reagan was right. Supporting adoption is pro-family, and it is also pro-life. In his statement, Reagan bravely added (remember this was 1984), “One aspect of the tragedy of the 1.5 million abortions performed each year is that so many women who undergo abortions are unaware of the many couples who desperately want to share their loving homes with a baby.”

Since adoption is so key to a culture that honors the sanctity of life and family, not to mention its place in our Father’s master plan, can it be any wonder that it is a target of dark forces? The most recent attack stems from LGBTQ extremism, a militant ideology that demands nothing less than full and uncompromising allegiance. It gives no quarter, even to faith-based agencies simply trying to help vulnerable children find forever families. Because of their biblical beliefs on marriage and sexuality, such ministries have already been badgered or shut down around the country, including in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Sadly, in a parting gift to LGBTQ activists, the Obama administration issued federal rules undermining faith-based adoption agencies just days before President Trump was sworn in in 2017. Righting this wrong has been on President Trump’s mind – in fact, he brought it up in February at the National Prayer Breakfast – and earlier in this National Adoption Month his appointees at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a new rule is moving forward to protect child welfare ministries from religious discrimination.

May we be active and vigilant in our prayers against forces that would undermine adoption and tear families apart. There will be legislative and court battles to come at the federal, state, and local levels!

Let us also be sure to intercede on behalf of adoption in our own communities. Today, National Adoption Day, please specifically lift up the 125,000 kids in our country waiting to be adopted out of foster care.

Finally, let us always remember with thanksgiving and spirits bursting with praise our Lord’s heart for adoption. As the Apostle Paul states, “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1: 4-5). Hallelujah!