Encouragement for Today - Aug. 22, 2007
August 22, 2007
Loved
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
“Mom, when did you first begin to love me?” asked my youngest son. I was quite surprised by his question and had to ponder if for a moment. Then, I replied. “I first loved you when dad and I began to talk about having a baby.” Parker reacted with confusion. “But that was way before I was born.”
“That’s right.” I said. “Then, when I carried you in my tummy, my love for you grew stronger.”
“It did?” he questioned with wonder. “Yes it did, and when you were born and placed in my arms, I loved you even more!”
“Did your love for me rub off a little the first time I did something wrong?”
“Not a chance! There is nothing you could ever do that would make me stop loving you.” I reassured him. With a big smile on his face, he leaped into my arms and hugged me tight.
As I considered our conversation, I realized that as a child of God I’ve had those same questions. “When did you first love me, Lord?”
“Long before you were ever born I determined to love you.” God whispered to my heart.
“Well, what about the bad things I do. Do they make you love me less?” I asked.
“Not a chance! No sin is strong enough to deter my love for you.” God reassured me. I smiled and whispered back. “I love you, too, Lord.”
You may be wondering how God could love you despite the wrong things you’ve done. It’s simple. God sent Jesus, His Son, to earth to save those who were trapped in sin. When we tell God we are sorry for our sins and accept Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our wrongdoings, then there is no longer anything between you and God.
God’s love is hard to comprehend. It has no beginning and no end, and it’s greater than our sin. Therefore, there is nothing you and I can do that will separate us from God’s love. He has loved you and me from the beginning and His love remains forever consistent and committed no matter what.
Dear Lord, I’m in awe of the fact that You loved me before I was born, and that nothing I do can cancel Your love for me. Your love is truly amazing. Thank you for loving me completely. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Micca Campbell’s Testimony DVD
Application Steps:
Meet God in prayer. In your mind’s eye, climb into your heavenly Father’s lap and ask Him to love on you. While there, read scripture verses that pertain to His love for you.
Reflections:
Do you ever question God’s love for you?
Do you realize that there is nothing you can do that will separate you from God’s love?
Compare God’s love for you to the backdrop of the cross.
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (NIV)
Jeremiah 31:3, “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV)
Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
