He Loves You Too Much

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. — Ezekiel 36:26

Our neighbor’s dog was a sweetheart, and everyone in the neighborhood loved her. But she had a talent for getting out of the yard. One day she managed to escape and was hit by a car, leaving her badly injured and lying in a ditch. We rushed to help her, but as so often happens with injured animals, she lashed out at us, growling, barking, and snapping. The dog’s owner wouldn’t take no for an answer, though. He pushed past her hostile response and took care of her because he loved her.

I have had times in my life when I was the one lying in the gutter, broken and hurting. God came to me there and pushed past my angry and hostile reactions because He loves me. In spite of my restless behavior and my foolish protests, He stuck with me, healing, restoring, and changing me.

God has big plans for me, too big to leave me lying in the gutter, licking my own wounds. He has a plan to get me back on my feet and make me productive for His kingdom. He’s given me a new heart and a new spirit, and He’ll never give up on me because He loves me.

Prayer

Father, thank You for picking me up and putting me back on my feet. Thank You for loving me so much that You helped me even when I fought against Your loving care. Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Celebrate Recovery Devotional by John Baker, Johnny Baker, and Mac Owen, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

Can you think of a time in your life when you lashed out at God out of pain and He didn’t give up on you? What happened? How did He put you back on your feet? Are there people you can think of who are lying in the gutter, licking their wounds? How can you push past their hostility and love them through? Join the conversation on our blog! We would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily