September 30, 2021
Secure in His Love
Joanna Teigen
Today’s Truth
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I gave my son a quick hug and a smile before he grabbed his backpack and climbed onto the school bus. He found his seat, and before the bus pulled away from the curb an older student leaned over to ask, “Is that your mom?”
“Yes,” my son answered.
“Why doesn’t she look like you?” the other boy questioned.
My son explained with a simple, “I’m adopted.”
The student sneered and announced, “I’ll bet it’s because your mother didn’t want you. She decided to throw you away. That’s why you’re adopted.”
Sadness filled my son’s brown eyes as those cruel words triggered the pain of rejection and loss in his heart. It would take many days of caring support to restore the security that was damaged in that single conversation.
Every child needs to feel wanted, accepted, and loved. When that need goes unmet, the wounds run deep. As adopted children of our heavenly Father, we carry longings and fears of our own. We wonder Will God turn His back on me? Is my sin too horrible to forgive? Does He care about my little problems? Is He angry or ashamed of me? Will God be there when I need Him most? We crave assurance that we are accepted and cherished as God’s daughters.
God provides the security we’re longing for in His words to His chosen people, the Israelites: “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).
Why was Israel afraid? They knew they were unfaithful to the Father who loved them and delivered them from oppressive slavery. Their feet left a trail of idolatry and stubborn rebellion behind them. They chose worry over worship and greed over gratitude.
Yet through it all, God gazed on His people with eyes of love. He desired each one to turn from their wicked path and run back into His arms. His words were given to remind them—and us--of our true identity as His children.
You and I are known and loved by God because He created us in every detail. In fact, He declares we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” in His image and chosen “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 1:4). We are the cherished handiwork of the One who made us.
In our Father, we are redeemed. Every failure, doubt, and sin we commit has been covered by the death of Jesus on the cross. God purchased us with Jesus’ life to be His treasure. And as our Savior was raised to life again, God gave us new life in Him that will never end.
God called us by name to be His very own. The Spirit opened our ears to hear His call on our lives: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Daily, He is making us new and transforming our former habits, attitudes, and plans. Despite the enemy’s schemes and the hurts we suffer, He refuses to let anyone or anything snatch us from His hand (John 10:29). He will hold us securely for all time.
My son was forced to question if he was wanted, accepted, and loved. God never wants you or me to doubt His faithful love that never lets us go. Today, find peace as you hear Him say once more, “You are mine.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, no one loves me like You. When I sin, You forgive and teach me a better way. You meet me in my pain and give me hope. When I struggle to accept the woman in the mirror, You remind me I am your wonderful creation. Grow my faith to trust in Your unconditional love. Strengthen me to live in my identity as Your daughter. Help me to remember I am Yours, always.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What kind of circumstances make you feel insecure in your relationship with God?
Is it unanswered prayer or pain? Your mistakes or the temptations you face? The unbelief of those around you?
Think back to when God first “summoned you by name.” Which part of your story could encourage someone that she, too, is loved by God?
More from the Girlfriends
In Joanna’s book Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter, co-authored with her husband Rob, she offers a wide selection of targeted prayers to help you pray for your daughter in whatever she might face.
© 2021 by Joanna Teigen. All rights reserved.
Originally published Thursday, 30 September 2021.
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