1. God is Love
If you’re an avid listener of the show, you’ve heard me say this multiple times. However, it bears repeating because:
It’s not something that’s predominately taught in religious circles. Therefore, it’s helpful to have a reminder–especially because it’s a hugely foundational truth.
When we’re laser focused on our circumstances, we lose sight of God’s character.
Our enemy, Satan, loves to distract us from core truths such as this one.
It’s important to view our life and circumstances through the lens of God’s character–not the other way around.
And one of the core traits of God is that He doesn’t just feel love–He is love.
1 John 4:8 (NLT) says, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Several verses later, in verse 16, we read, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
God actually is love. It’s in the very fabric of His being; it cannot be separated from who He is.
In addition, because God is holy (meaning 100% set apart from evil), His love is better than anything we can experience here on earth.
Which is why in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT), we have this description of love: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
It’s this love that compelled God to send Jesus so that we wouldn’t be lost to sin, darkness, and an eternity separated from Him.
As John 3:16 (NLT) says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
God does not hate you, friend. He loves you more than you can possibly imagine.
2. God Has Promised Never to Abandon You
One of the ways you can trust that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and not written solely by man is the fact that, in story after story, we see God’s people fail and turn away from Him–even to the point of outright rejection.
We see this in the Old and New Testament. Why? Because we are human. We’re born sinful. We’re weak in our flesh. And we’re living in a broken world full of temptation.
God knows this and, because He is love and therefore loves us more than we comprehend, has promised never to abandon us no matter how much we might fail or miss the mark.
This is a promise that God has made to His chosen people from the beginning; one that we’re reminded of throughout the Bible. Even during times when His people had basically fully turned away from Him and descended into a dark place, He’s kept His promise.
In Deuteronomy 4:31 (NLT), it says, “For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.”
Psalm 9:10 (NLT) says, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
The Message version says it this way: “God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.”
Not only does God promise not to abandon us, He also promises to be with us–and strengthen us.
In Matthew 28:20 (NLT), Jesus says this to His disciples after the resurrection before ascending to join God the Father: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
And in Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) we read, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Friend, not only does God deeply love you, He has promised to forever be at your side–no matter the circumstances.
3. God Has Promised to Take Care of You
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of God providing, protecting, and caring for His kids.
Sometimes supernaturally, such as when He guided the Israelites out of Egypt through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. Or having “magically” manna appear from heaven for forty years.
The Bible also clearly tells us that God has promised to take care of us.
Isaiah 46:4 (NLT): “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”
Psalm 46:1 (NLT): “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in trouble.”
Luke 12:7 (MSG): “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.”
And Psalm 55:22 (NLT) compels us to: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”
Friend, if God simply hated you, why would He promise to walk beside you and take care of you–no matter what? He wouldn’t.
Friend, God doesn’t hate us. He doesn’t hate you.
Remember what it says in 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT): “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
That is our God, friend. 💓