In a quiet moment, when I’ve slowed my breathing, I often retreat to the recesses of my mind where the tough stuff lives and questions start to form. Why can’t I change my sinful ways? Would I be willing to die for someone like Christ died for me? Do I matter to others? How can God possibly love me when I keep sinning?
I then need to put such self-examination before my heavenly father for his answers which never change because even in knowing and seeing my sin, he welcomes me into the wonderful embrace of his presence, mercy and grace.
Though I may think back on my missteps, while in his arms, the Lord’s love sweeps away what was and reminds me of what is. I learn afresh who he is within the bigger picture of my journey - faithful, trustworthy, forgiving and powerful.
In the secret place where I meet with my creator, I am reminded that there is no greater love than his, which pushes its way in when I’m mid-round of beating myself up for the mistakes I make. The Holy Spirit enables me to reaffirm that my desire to live for and love God far outweighs anything that is determined to pull me away from him.
I know my desperation and depravity and acknowledge my need for God every single moment of every single day and the seconds in between. I can’t do a thing without my King's wisdom, discernment and guidance. Even when I scrape my knees by falling, he picks me up, nurses my wounds and removes the stain of self-loathing that tends to appear whenever I stumble.
Today’s verse describes the immensity of God’s love, and in the midst of my struggles, convinces me that there is absolutely no limit to what he can and will do on my behalf. As far as Satan will dare to go in making me veer off track, God’s love goes farther, and he never rests until I am back in his everlasting arms where the deepest, widest and highest love resides. I am his and he is mine and there is nothing that can separate me from his love. My identity is based on that.
There’s no place where you, as God’s child, can stray that his love won’t find you and bring you back to him. How deep is his love? Far deeper than you and I could ever dare to venture. Believe, receive and live fully in the blessing of this truth.
Abba Father, I never could have imagined that such a beautiful love existed, but it does, in you! The way you love me is an encouragement to love others as I should. Help me to do so in glorification to you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Amazing love, how can it be! Set aside time today to meditate on this devotion's verses, believing and receiving its truths as your own.