Remember how empty and lonely life was before God reached out and claimed us as His children? And how joyous life became as we began to understand and believe how much He does truly love us?
It is still a great mystery -- and think about John 17:24, when Jesus prays for His followers, and tells them that God loves them as He loves Jesus Himself!
Doesn't seem possible, but He does not lie!
After all, He loves us so much He would rather die than live without us! And so He did.
These words from Pastor Scotty Smith:
"To know Jesus through the riches of the gospel as the One to whom I belong, is one glorious thing. But to believe that He actually desires me is quite another breathtaking thing. To be desired is to be wanted, pursued, enjoyed, known and accepted, nourished, thought about, cherished. All of these are promised in the gospel. Only in the gospel can they be realized in part; only in heaven are they realized in full."
Isaiah speaks God's words -- Listen to what He says: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine" (43:1)
He wants us. He calls us by our name (No 'hey you, over there!') But in tenderness and love He seeks us to come to Him. The Good Shepherd who calls His sheep by name!
Think about this picture -- of a loving parent, cradling his child and whispering: "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Today's challenge -- take that picture with you everywhere you go today.
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