I Am a Beloved Daughter of Godનમૂનો

God loves me every day!

Isaiah 54:10, TLV: "Though the mountains depart and the hills be shaken, My love will not depart from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken, says ADONAI who has compassion on you."

God is consistently consistent. Steadfast and unfailing are words often used to describe His love. 1 Corinthians 13: 8, TPT states, "Love never stops loving..." Wow! On my best days, earnest is the closest I get to God's expression of love.

Thankfully, God is the source of love. My shortcomings are overcome in the never-ending tide of His love that has no end. This knowledge comforts me on the days when I need to be reassured I'm lovable even when my actions aren't. This knowledge protects me on the days when others' actions towards me aren't lovable. This knowledge strengthens me on the days when I need to face circumstances (self-inflicted or otherwise) attempting to bully me into doubting God's care for me.

Luke 10:40, MSG records Martha interrupting and saying, "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." Interestingly, in Luke 10:41-42, TPT Jesus responds, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won't take this privilege from her.”

Jesus masterfully met Martha's words with love, understanding, and compassion. In saying, “Martha, my beloved Martha,” my paraphrase of Jesus’ first words is Martha, I love you! What a way to disarm and deflect Martha’s frustration!

I've had my share of Martha episodes. How about you?

In the exchange between Martha and Jesus, I'm so encouraged by Jesus' example. Instead of adding more fuel to the fire of Martha's frustration, Jesus defused the situation with words of love. Jesus called Martha "beloved."

God is love and love never stops loving. Just as Jesus looked beyond Martha's troubles and applied love to her soul, God sees His daughters and decisively calls them beloved. You are beloved.