God loves us. He truly loves us very much. Knowing this love matters. He created us. He loves us more dearly than a loving Father, whose eyes are filled with glistening joy as He sees you with full attention each time you look up to Him with your love in your eyes. He loves you more dearly than a loving Mother, who knows what breaks your heart and what delights you.
One can choose to walk in awareness of God’s love and experience it. Not knowing this means missing out on all the goodness that is available. It’s like a person with good eyesight walking with blindness because the person has chosen to walk with their eyes closed. It’s like eating gourmet cuisine without enjoying the taste because one’s taste buds are sick and dysfunctional.
A few decades ago, I knew less about God’s love for me. It’s changed, and it’s improving. The more I am aware of it, the more I am free.
Did God love us from the beginning?
When God created us, He made us in His image. This is an amazing truth. You are made in God’s image. I am made in God’s image. One of you may have a question, then Why do you look different from the other person? Here is a thought. See if it’s useful. The answer is that God is so great. He is so strong and so mighty that one of us can never totally represent Him, although each of us is made in His image. All the different children of the same parents look like their parents, yet each of them is distinctly different.
Here are three different verses that point to our creation by God.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27 NKJV)
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise
You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. (Psalms 139:13-14 NKJV)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I
ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV)
The verses are amazing and beautiful, worthy of a pause and a deep breath.
Is God with us?
Our God does not leave us or forsake us after creation. He is with us. We are never alone. But this requires having faith. It’s like a person choosing to walk with their eyelids closed and eating without being able to taste.
Whereas, if you choose to open your eyes, i.e. your spiritual eyes, then you see and understand spiritual matters. These verses from the Bible speak about God’s presence with us.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ ( Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)
So amazing and reassuring is this great love of God towards us, that He never leaves us, He is always with us.
God’s love is much more amazing, beautiful beyond comprehension when we realize that He calls us by name. He has redeemed us. And can you believe He calls us precious in His sight.
Here we read what the Lord says to Jacob. God addresses the old name and the new name. The old name points to our old selves, before we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. The new name is our new identity after accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Select verses in the scripture below are made bold so that you notice them.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” ( Isaiah 43:11-7 NKJV)
God loves each and every person, including you and me. This verse points to this.
For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11 NKJV)
How can we know about God’s presence?
The presence of God brings peace. Every storm is commanded to be still in His
presence. And the beauty of Peace is of a very high order.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Once we have the awareness of Jesus Christ within us, we can very well ask the storms raging around and troubling us to be silent. When the storm disturbed the disciples, they were anxious and feared death. But when they were able to get the attention of Jesus, through a simple but power-packed instruction, the storm ceased and peace reigned.
Can we hear the God, who loves us?
God certainly speaks to His children. If we desire it, we can improve our sensitivity to hear the soft whispers of love and discern the gentle nudges of God. Sometimes busy lives become a hindrance. Loud surroundings can make one deaf to all whispers.
Each time we hear a verse from the Bible, we are hearing His voice. When you are attentive with all your heart, certain verses will quicken you. When you have a strong ongoing relationship with your father, regularly choosing to speak to Him and waiting to hear from him, you will hear from Him. This is the Rhema word – divinely inspired, living, and active for the specific moment. This Word gives direction and specifically addresses your current situation and circumstances.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27 NKJV)
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV)
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye
are not of God. (John 8:47 NKJV)
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it,
when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for
he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13 NKJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide
thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:8-9 NKJV)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 NKJV)
Can we see the beauty of our Creator?
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the perfection of beauty. He is full of grace and truth. Jesus is the express image of Father God.
As we desire to see this beauty, we can take specific steps. We can choose to be in God’s presence. He will reveal layer upon layer of amazing beauty in various dimensions. In the work place, at home, in the marketplace, everywhere you go.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to
enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4 KJV)
The Amplified Classified has more details.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently]
require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my
life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful
loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.(Psalm 27:4 AMPC)
Be the amazingly beautiful creation of God for the people who God brings around you today. Glorify the Lord. Glorify the beauty of the Lord.
The Lord gives His attributes to His people. For the people who morn in Zion, the Holy Mountain, in His presence, this is the exchange that the Lord has prepared.
The Lord gives:
Beauty instead of (in the place) ashes.
Oil of joy instead of (in the place) of morning.
Garment of praise instead of (in the place)spirit of heaviness
To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for
mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called
trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3 NKJV)
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament
(a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,
the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing
spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent,
distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the
Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3 AMPC)
God’s glory is beautiful. Everywhere God is glorified, we get to see glimpses of His glory. When signs, wonders, miracles, and healing are experienced, we get to experience the tangible aspects of God’s glory, and His beauty.
God is love. The beauty of God’s love is so resplendent that we cannot comprehend its amazing and mind-boggling beauty. Understanding of this magnificent truth comes as we walk with Him.
The lyrics of this song sums it up well.
God’s love it’s so wonderful
God’s love it’s so wonderful
God’s love it’s so wonderful
Oh! Wonderful love!
So high you can’t get over it
So high you can’t get over it
So high you can’t get over it
Oh! Wonderful love!
So deep you can’t get under it
So deep you can’t get under it
So deep you can’t get under it
Oh! Wonderful love!
So wide you can’t get around it
So wide you can’t get around it
So wide you can’t get around it
Oh! Wonderful love!
God’s love it’s so wonderful
God’s love it’s so wonderful
God’s love it’s so wonderful
Oh! Wonderful love!
If you wish to soak in it, hear this song. Hear this improvised version, which makes it even more beautiful.
https://youtu.be/STfRSDRFgKs
This is a brief note on a few of the innumerable facet’s of the love of God towards us. A life with Jesus will reveal more. Walk with Him. Talk with Him.
All sweet blessings in your pursuit.
You may wish to read blog posts on:
a) God’s love for you as sons of God. (link to be provided after blog is published)
b) God’s love for the church (that includes you) as the bride of Christ. (link to be provided after blog is published)
Grow in Love – through declarations!
Click and find out!