FOREVER LOVED
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
The relationship between a father and child can bring many different memories, emotions and images to mind. My experience is a mix of both abandonment and love. My biological father left when I was 3 years old, and for a long time, that created a picture of abandonment in my heart. But when I was 8, my stepfather came into our lives and began painting a very different picture--one of love, security and acceptance. He stepped into that empty space so naturally that I quickly became a daddy's girl. I needed his presence, guidance and love. He became my dad.
In many ways, my relationship with my Heavenly Father is the same. I need Him every single day. There's never been a moment when I have not desperately needed Him. God fills the emptiness and silences the lies the enemy tries so hard to make me believe. Unlike people, God never changes. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. He'll never abandon me. His love is eternal and unwavering, not based on human actions or changing circumstances.
As Walter Brueggemann writes, God's everlasting love reflects covenantal resolve--prior to Israel's response--where divine faithfulness persists through failure, drawing the people back through steadfast, initiating grace rather than earned devotion.
APPLICATION: Take a moment today to reflect on the areas in your life where you may still feel abandoned, rejected or unworthy of love. Ask God to replace those wounds with the truth of His everlasting love and unfailing kindness. When doubt creeps in, remind yourself that God's love is constant even when people are not.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for loving me with an everlasting and unwavering love. Help me trust You fully and rest in the security of knowing You will never leave or abandon me. Heal the broken places in my heart and remind me daily of Your unfailing kindness. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?