SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
OBSERVATION:
God’s perfect love and faithfulness again on full display. The Israelites were not chosen because of their strength or numbers but simply because of God’s love and His covenant. It was His grace for and commitment to His promise that led to their redemption time and time again. God’s love wasn’t not earned; it was freely given. His faithfulness was based on His character, not in merit, performance or perception of strength.
APPLICATION:
I sometimes struggle with the feeling that I need to prove myself. I try to earn love through good works, good deeds, or being good enough. Today I’m reminded that God’s love is not something I can earn. He gives it freely. He chose me, not because of anything I have done, but because of Who He is.
And there’s so much freedom when I truly take that to heart. It means that I don’t have to strive for God’s approval. He already loves me completely. Instead of working to earn His love, I can live in response to it. How then shall I live? Know who I am and what I’m doing here, and do it with gratitude and purpose. When I feel inadequate or unworthy, I can hold steadfast knowing that God’s love is not based on my performance.
But that doesn’t mean I sit on the sideline and bask in the glory of His performance. I lace up and get in the game. I play in the freedom of knowing He’s got my back. I play with an unshakeable faith knowing that we never lose. God + me is the majority and that’s the best performance enhancing drug there is.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for choosing me, not because of anything I have done, but simply because of Who You are. Help me to rest in the truth that I do not have to earn Your love and respond by serving out of gratitude and freedom rather than approval. Help me to trust in Your promises and walk in the freedom of Your love. Amen.
