I know from a human viewpoint I often don’t measure up to others, and it’s impossible for me to reach God’s perfect standards. These thoughts assail me at times:
“I’ll never achieve what she’s accomplished; God must like her more than me. She’s so competent and productive.”
“She’s more loving, wise, and obedient than I am. Of course, God favors her.”
How can I respond to this struggle?
I remember the truth:
“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love…May Your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in You” (Psalm 33:18, 22, NIV).
I hope in God’s Hesed, most often translated as mercy, loving-kindness, or steadfast/unfailing love. This word has such deep meaning, Christian musician Michael Card wrote an entire book, entitled, Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness.
God’s abundant care for us is incomprehensible. We receive this truth by faith but its depth is beyond our knowing. If we could understand, we’d never question if He prefers someone over us. He’s loved all His children since before time began. He knew, when He created mankind, we would choose sin. He cherished us so deeply, He planned from the beginning to send Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and then die to pay for our wrongdoings.God’s abundant care for us is incomprehensible. We receive this truth by faith but its depth is beyond our knowing. If we could understand, we’d never question if He prefers someone over us. Click To Tweet
I can’t fathom His merciful kindness which has nothing to do with my performance. Yes, He calls me to obey, but His affection is unconditional, unchanging, and eternal. I show my devotion for Him through my obedience. Whether I succeed or fail doesn’t change how He cherishes me. His love is rock solid, immovable, and always with me.
He always calls us to seek Jesus, believing in and remaining in Him. We are to walk with Him, talk to Him about everything, listen and obey His teaching. He holds all His children dear and knows how frail we are.
Do you wonder if God values others more than you?
Find a quiet place and meditate on these verses:
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14).
“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your unfailing love, LORD, supported me” (Psalm 94:18).
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Believe He calls you beloved.His love is rock solid, immovable, and always with me. Click To Tweet
Thank You, Father, for Your eternal and unchanging love! Help me rest in You, rejoicing in Your grace. When thoughts come, tempting me to compare myself to others, leading me to jealousy or insecurity, please help me bring those thoughts captive and replace them with the truth. Thank You that nothing I do can make You love me more or love me less. Your love is an undeserved gift. Praise Your holy name!
What does God’s unfailing love mean to you?
How does His love change how you view others?
Did you know Wholly Loved hosts a podcast? Faith Over Fear with Jennifer Slattery, Jodie Bailey, and Shellie Arnold can be found on all your favorite apps! Check it out!
About Faith Over Fear:
Life is too short and God has too much for us to do for any of us to live enslaved. Jesus promised His followers would experience filled to overflowing life, a life characterized by joy, peace, and spiritual and emotional vitality. And yet, we daily make decisions based on fear, not faith. In Faith Over Fear, author and speaker Jennifer Slattery helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.
Jesus has more planned for us than we could imagine and He’s fully committed to perfecting that which concerns us. Fear holds us back, but His perfect love has the power to cast out all fear!
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