It is one thing to feel loved by God when our life is together and all our support systems are in place. But what happens when we sin and fail, when our dreams shatter, when our investments crash, when we are regarded with suspicion? What happens when we come face-to-face with the human condition?
God calls us to come openly to Him.
God is the Father who ran to His prodigal son when he came limping home. God loves who we really are — whether we like it or not. God calls us, as He did Adam (Genesis 3:8–9), to come out of hiding. No amount of spiritual makeup can render us more presentable to Him.
“Come to Me now,” Jesus says. “Acknowledge and accept who I want to be for you: a Savior of boundless compassion, infinite patience, unbearable forgiveness, and love that keeps no score of wrongs. Quit projecting onto Me your own feelings about yourself. At this moment your life is a bruised reed and I will not crush it, a smoldering wick and I will not quench it. You are in a safe place.”
~Brennan Manning
God’s Words for You, Grandma
Just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:5
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. — Romans 8:18
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3–4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. — James 1:2–3
For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. — 2 Corinthians 12:10
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. — Psalms 34:19
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. — James 1:12
You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. — Isaiah 25:4
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. — Romans 8:26
In the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. — Psalm 27:5
You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. — Psalm 61:3–4
All my longings lie open before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you... Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. — Psalm 38:9, 22
Excerpted with permission from Devotions for Grandmas, copyright Zondervan.
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Your Turn
God calls us to come to Him openly, continually, authentically, and willingly. He loves us when we don’t deserve it, when we feel unlovable, when we’re down, and when we forget to worship Him. He always, always loves us! Come to Him today and receive His love. ~ Devotionals Daily