God loves you
September 28, 2011 (Wednesday)
The favorite Bible verse of many people is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“God loves the world” means he loves each person in the world. In Luke 15, Jesus gave three illustrations of how important each individual is to God. These stories feature one coin, one sheep, and one son. Each was lost, and that’s what they had in common. Each was eagerly sought, and finally found. The finding of that which had been lost was celebrated with great joy.
In Isaiah 55:1, the prophet calls to everyone, “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters.” It is an invitation to drink of the water of life, to know the happiness of spiritual thirst finally satisfied.
When Jesus entered Jericho, a man named Zaccheus looked for a place in the crowd which lined the street, anxious to get a glimpse of Jesus. When Jesus got to that place, he stopped, looked at Zaccheus, called him by his name, and told him he would be a guest in Zaccheus’ home that very day. Before the day ended, there was tremendous rejoicing in that home, because Zaccheus decided to follow Jesus for the rest of his life.
You are important to the Lord. He knows your name and everything about you and he loves you. If you have not yet allowed him entrance to your heart, he wants to come in to stay.
A beautiful gospel solo testifies, “I am sure that he loves even me. I am sure that he loves even me.” I have sung that song in churches. I am singing it in my heart today. Can you sing it with me?