God really loves you.

“You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13 NIV) What does this verse trigger in your heart: fear or joy?

Can I be honest? It makes me sad when people have an image of a strict God in front of them because of their past or imprinting.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love…” (1 John 4:16 NIV)

And another verse: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10 NIV)

God is who He is regardless of how you see Him.

And God remains as He is, regardless of how you see Him.

He always remains the God who loves you, whether you believe that or not. He wants you to see Him as He is, as the God "...who looks at you!" (Genesis 16:13 NIV)

And since God looks at you in His great love, may I ask you if the things you do throughout the day are done with this truth in mind?

In the Psalms we read: "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death..." (Psalm 33:18-19 NIV)

Two things stand out here: "His eyes REST on you." God doesn't stress when He sees what's going on with you. Nothing frightens Him. Quite the opposite. He has already decided for Himself that He wants to help those who wait for Him with confidence.

Are you waiting for Him? Or do you run away from Him and do things that are not good for you because you cannot believe that He is a good God who is looking at you in love?

May I really encourage you today to examine how you see God? And if you find that you're not at all sure about it, or can't believe that God sees you and loves you anyway, then pray in the words we already read in Mark's Gospel:

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV)

You are a miracle!

Déborah