We are God’s beloved children—loved by Abba just as much as he loves Jesus.
“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me (Jesus) and that you (Father) love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23
Lord Jesus, this one verse exposes how little I “get” the Gospel, and what a neophyte I am in grasping the wonders and riches of grace. Let me get this right: you are telling me that God the Father loves me as much as he loves you? How can this be? You are the only answer to that question. Stunning, astonishing, overwhelming… Jesus, write this truth indelibly on my mind, take it deep into my heart, then make it real through me, as I seek to love as I am loved. “Arise my soul, arise, and shake off your guilt, shame, and unbelief”—the Gospel is true, good, and beautiful.
We are delighted in and enjoyed by God, and there’s nothing we can do about it.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Abba, this portion of your Word contradicts my oldest thoughts of you and invites my heart to go to places your Spirit alone can take me. Because of Jesus’ finished work—right now (not just when I’m in heaven) you greatly delight in me. You are committed to quiet my restless, wandering, fearful heart with your love. You “exult” (what a powerful word) over me—not just with singing, but with loud singing. Free me from thinking this is true for others, not me.
God’s love for us never grows nor decreases. It is the greatest constant in our lives.
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3
Father, supersize the chambers of my heart to take in more of this . You have drawn me to yourself with an unfailing, irresistible, powerful love—not because of anything in me, but because of everything in you. And now, because of what you have done for me in Jesus—you love me with an unwavering, everlasting love. I cannot add to your love for me, and I cannot take away from it; because it’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus. I’m undone with peace and gratitude. So Very Amen.