Day 19: Loved and Chosen
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” EPHESIANS 1:4-5 NLT
Even before God laid the foundations of the world, He loved and chose us. When we are faced with doubt or anxiety, especially when we face difficult circumstances or when it feels like God is distant, we should remember that He first loved us.
We don’t have to work to earn it or have certain attributes or characteristics to be deserving of His love. He already chose us.
Think about this powerful truth for a moment: God chose us.
Despite our shortcomings, God’s love remains sure and steadfast. Before we said Yes to Him, He already said Yes to us. Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We can develop a deeper relationship with God, knowing that loving us gives Him great joy. When we have this understanding, we run to God instead of away from Him when we sin. His love is unwavering, unconditional, and unfailing. We have already been invited to be part of God’s family. Jesus made that possible, and it’s an open invitation always. He wants to be in a constant relationship with us. The door is always open. All we have to do is respond.
On your 19th day of fasting, remember:
● God loves you with an everlasting love.
● There’s no amount of work needed to earn God’s love. He loves you already.
● You can come boldly to God through Jesus.
Prayer Focus:
Thank God for loving and choosing you first. Thank Jesus for his sacrifice that makes it possible to be part of God’s family and to be able to enter at any time into God’s presence. Ask God for the grace to always run to Him every single day.
Reflection Question: How can you bring God into your life on a practical level knowing that you don’t have to work for this attention and help?