Greatly Loved

DANIEL 9:23

“At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.”

Friend, do you think that an angel sent from heaven would address you with any less affection than the way Daniel is addressed as above? Do you suppose God Himself would speak to you with less comforting words? I don’t. Oh, you who are in Christ, hear the Lord say that you are greatly loved!

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. . . . I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” ( John 15:13–15). And elsewhere, He has described Himself as the good shepherd who knows His flock well and is willing to give up His life for them (John 10:14–15).

Believer, you have every right to say with the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Perhaps just now, you may say, “Well, I’m not even sure I’m a Christian. How do I know that God loves me?” You know other believers who have found their joy in Christ, but Christ did not die for them alone. You were in His heart and on His mind as He bore the cross of Calvary. Look to Jesus and believe! “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Rom. 10:13). Everyone means everyone. That includes you, dear reader! New believers and seasoned ones alike benefit from rereading John 3:16.

Believe that Jesus loves you and that He died for you. Turn to Him and hear Him say that you are greatly loved. If you don’t sense God’s affection for you, perhaps it is because you are looking in the wrong spot for proof of His love. If you look within, you will never find a reason for Him to love you. Joy and peace will elude you if you look inside for evidence of God’s love. His love for you has never been based on you or your performance. He loves you with everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). Look to Christ, and you will soak your heart in an ocean of love. Look to the crucified Savior and see how wide His outstretched hands are open for you. Look to Calvary and hear the cries of full and free forgiveness for every sinner who hides within the wounds of Jesus. Believer, you are greatly loved!

Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out”(John 6:37). Why not open your heart to Him right now and say, “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, but You came into the world to save sinners; please save me now in your great love—I give myself to You. I am Yours. Amen.”

God will receive you as you turn to Him, and He will shower you with His great love!

Reflect

Do you sense God’s great affection for you? Where do you normally look for proof of God’s love, and where is God calling you to look right now?

Let’s Pray

Father, I thank You now that Your love for me is not based on my performance or anything within me. You showed Your love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Rom. 5:8). Help me get my eyes off myself and onto Jesus so that I soak my heart in the ocean of Your love. By the power of Your Spirit, help me to hear from You in the deepest core of my being that I am greatly loved. I thank You, Father, for sending Your Son to live and die for me, that I might be reconciled to You and have the hope of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.