APRIL 11

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

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1 John 3:1

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

Isaiah 43:1

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,  and He who formed you, O Israel:

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;  you are Mine.’”

Isaiah 44:24

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,  and He who formed you from the womb:

‘I am the Lord, who makes all things,  who stretches out the heavens all alone,

Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;’”

John 1:12

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

Romans 8:21

“because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

Ephesians 5:1

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.”

1 John 4:4

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

1 John 3:2

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

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Our book for this month  is called “100 NAMES OF GOD”  written by Christopher D. Hudson.  Each day we’ll take one Hebrew name for God as given in the Bible to study and relate to.

EL YALAD

THE GOD WHO GAVE YOU BIRTH

Deuteronomy 32:18

“You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God w

The exhausted new mother holds her infant son as the child’s nervous and proud father looks on.  They are filled with joy and wild hopes for their newborn.  You would be awful to tell the in this moment, “Just so you know, that precious little guy there is going to grow up to give you all kinds of headaches and more than a few heartaches.”

The fifth book of the Bible, the last book of the Pentateuch, is Deuteronomy.  It’s an elegant piece of writing .. equal parts history, warning, challenge, and theology lesson.  In short, Deuteronomy is Moses’ final chance to impart wisdom, his last shot at reminding his forgetful people of eternal truths.

Near the end of his poignant words, Moses referred to “THE GOD WHO GAVE YOU BIRTH” ~ EL YALAD.  The Hebrew word YALAD means to birth, to calve  — calling us to mind the joy of new life.  But the word also has pain associated with it.  Just as human birth is a time of celebration in the midst of pain, so the miraculous birth of the Hebrew nation ~ through which  God would bring salvation to the world ~ was set against a long backdrop of struggle and difficulty.

God gave birth to the human race knowing full well all the pain we would cause both Him and one another.  He gave birth to Israel, despite knowing in advance His people would desert and forget Him.  God grants us spiritual life when we believe, making us His very children, even though He knows we’ll be little hellions.

Why would the Almighty knowingly bring into existence offspring who are certain to break His heart?  The answer, of course, is love – inexplicable, irrational divine love.

In the same way immature kids take parental love for granted, immature believers fail to appreciate God’s infinite affection.

But as we grow spiritually, as we taste grace, as our eyes are opened to the crazy love of the God who gave us birth, we’re changed.

When do you find yourself most inclined to forget God your loving parent?

PRAYER

God, please help me not lose sight of You in my daily life.  You know what’s best for me.  You know where to take me and what I need.  Please help me to trust You and Your plan for me. Amen

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