“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1 ESV)
As I knelt at the altar, I cried harder than I had in a long time. After years of struggling with God for power and control, I had finally realized that my way wasn’t working and surrendered everything to Christ. But guilt tore at me. I had strayed and disobeyed God. I had doubted His love and even shouted at Him in anger.
I cringed as I remembered the Bible teaching from my childhood. I had wasted so many years living in disobedience. God must be so displeased with me, and I had no idea how to make it right. I felt like a failure. How could God accept me back into His family? Could He even use someone like me? My heart and my relationship with God needed a lot of healing.
One day, I came across a verse that changed the way I viewed my salvation: He rescued me, because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19)
At first, I struggled to grasp the idea that the God of the universe delighted in me, a sinner. But then I realized, His delight didn’t begin after He saved me, when I was busy serving Him. He rescued me, because He delighted in me. Nothing I did could win or earn His affection. It was already there. This was a game-changer for me.
Paul confirmed this revelation for us in Romans 5:8: God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (emphasis added). He loves us where we are—as we are—right now in this moment. Yes, He calls us to follow Him and grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him, but that helps our love for Him grow. His love is already at its fullest capacity, and that won’t change.
Isaiah 43 is such a beautiful love letter to the nation of Israel and to us, as followers of Jesus—a promise of His presence and protection over our lives, no matter what we go through.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3)
God won’t leave us. We may wander away and even fall. Our faith may waver, and we may get angry, but His love for us never fails, because we are precious in His eyes. That is a promise we can count on.
Father, thank You for Your never-ending love for us. Help us to embrace it and understand how much You cherish us. Nothing we do could make You love us more. May we share that love and grace with those You put in our paths every day. Amen.
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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
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