The Wonder of Being Loved
“…you are precious and honored in my sight, and…I love you…“
Isaiah 43:4 (NIV)
A dear friend of mine had a wonderful marriage that lasted over 60 years. After his beloved wife passed away, we had lunch together. As we sat chatting, he said, “Gordon I buried my heart with her. Life seems pointless, now that she’s gone.“ Losing the love of his beloved wife was too much for him, and just six months later he also passed away. His heart was broken.
This is what’s so remarkable about being loved by God. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.“ Jesus said. (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
In Scripture we read many other tender and heart-warming expressions of the love of God for His people. Today’s verse is a good example of how the Lord gently addresses His children.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“ (Psalm 62:8 NIV)
One of the greatest themes God has for expressing His love is in the passages about the sacrifice He made to bring us to Himself. Perhaps this is the most familiar verse in all of Scripture, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“ (John 3:16 NIV)
God loved us so much that He was willing that His beloved Son would come and die to redeem us from our sins. What comfort and encouragement this is! What an amazing love God has for His people!
Do these promises satisfy you as you mourn the loss of your loved one? Can the truth of His never-ending love keep you strong as you walk on alone?
Perhaps you’ve never enjoyed the love of a life partner. Such a situation is indeed painful and difficult. Remind the Lord of the promise that His love would be lavished on you through the Holy Spirit. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.“ (Romans 5:5 NIV)
If you belong to the Lord you’re seen as “precious“ by Him. He “honours“ you with His love. He rejoices over you with singing.
“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 NIV)
May your sorrow today be turned into joy tomorrow as you’re led back to Scripture and the promises there to claim.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“ (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)