Day 40 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 40 | FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 40 | FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
Malachi 1:1-2
“This is the message that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. ‘I have always loved you,’ says the Lord. But you retort, ‘Really? How have you loved us?’ And the Lord replies, ‘This is how I showed my love for you.’”
I suspect everyone reading (or hearing) this devotional has wondered about God’s love for them at one time or another. Life circumstances can sometimes seem so hard, we can fall so far off track, and answers to prayers seem so seldom that even the regular churchgoer wonders if God knows or cares.
Malachi, the last book in our Old Testament, is another story from another prophet regarding God’s people, their sinfulness, and ultimately God’s love for them.
“‘I have always loved you,’ says the LORD.” Now consider that the LORD said that despite His people’s sin and rebellion against Him, His precepts, and laws.
Don’t you feel similarly towards your child or loved one? And don’t you feel that way, deep down, despite their inconsistencies and perhaps downright sinful behavior? Sin does not go without consequence, but LOVE can still be there.
The Lord also allowed Malachi to pen a significant prophecy proving God’s ultimate show of love for them – and all people – regarding the coming of Jesus Christ.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past will come from you on my behalf.” (Malachi 5:2)
Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus… though that wouldn’t happen for over 400 years.
Do you believe that God TRULY loves you?
Do you believe that despite your inconsistencies and even sin against Him?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
No matter where you are today in your relationship with the LORD God, He loves you.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for loving me. Forgive me my sin and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Malachi 1:1-2
“This is the message that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. ‘I have always loved you,’ says the Lord. But you retort, ‘Really? How have you loved us?’ And the Lord replies, ‘This is how I showed my love for you.’”
I suspect everyone reading (or hearing) this devotional has wondered about God’s love for them at one time or another. Life circumstances can sometimes seem so hard, we can fall so far off track, and answers to prayers seem so seldom that even the regular churchgoer wonders if God knows or cares.
Malachi, the last book in our Old Testament, is another story from another prophet regarding God’s people, their sinfulness, and ultimately God’s love for them.
“‘I have always loved you,’ says the LORD.” Now consider that the LORD said that despite His people’s sin and rebellion against Him, His precepts, and laws.
Don’t you feel similarly towards your child or loved one? And don’t you feel that way, deep down, despite their inconsistencies and perhaps downright sinful behavior? Sin does not go without consequence, but LOVE can still be there.
The Lord also allowed Malachi to pen a significant prophecy proving God’s ultimate show of love for them – and all people – regarding the coming of Jesus Christ.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past will come from you on my behalf.” (Malachi 5:2)
Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus… though that wouldn’t happen for over 400 years.
Do you believe that God TRULY loves you?
Do you believe that despite your inconsistencies and even sin against Him?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
No matter where you are today in your relationship with the LORD God, He loves you.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for loving me. Forgive me my sin and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.