Today’s scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Sue Robinson):
How many of us who have children that we love, have sat these children down in a time of trouble and poured out our hearts in love to them. Maybe they have had problems at school, maybe they have been caught in a small act of larceny, or have been fighting. We will say to them, “Look, I love you so much! You are a part of this family and we stick together. I will always love you no matter what you have done. You are my child, you have my name. No matter what the problems, I will be there for you.”
I remember a time when my 7-year-old son stole some candy from the grocery. As I went storming back into the store with this little, skinny, scared boy in tow, he said, “Mommy, do you still love me even now?” Of course, we had to stop right there and have a conversation about how I would always love him, even when he did bad things.
In these verses, I see God is saying much the same thing to the children of Israel. They continue to disobey and grumble. But God’s love for them is steadfast. God tells them again how they have been kept in God’s tender care in the past, and how they will continue to blessed and watched over. They belong to God — they are called by God’s name. They were bought with a great price.
How comforting to know that God includes us in this family! Life may throw us many mean curve balls, but we are loved and in God’s care.
Prayer for the day: Lord, it warms my heart to know that you are the Good Parent who watches over me always. Even when I’m at my worst, you still care. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.