His
“Then those who [loved] the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard… ‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion, a father spares his son…’”
- Prophet Malachi, Malachi 3:16-17
Young Man: "I don't believe in the Resurrection!"
Old Man: "Oh, but don't you wish you did?!"
In Malachi's day, there was a group of Israelites who came to God humbly, seeking forgiveness. And God took notice. Rather than shutting his ears, He "listened and heard." He paid attention to them. Those two words, "listened and heard," reveal the heart of a God who stops when He hears you speak His name, Who turns to see who’s calling His name, then bends down, putting His ear close to your lips so as not to miss a word you're saying or thinking. God loves you!
Listen to what the Apostle Paul said about God's heart for you:
"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 1:5
And you thought God adopted you because of your good looks...or because you're so talented or so good or so smart! Sorry!
God adopted you just because He wanted to...Because He's crazy about You!
God knew the trouble you'd be...but He adopted you anyhow...He paid the price and signed his name and changed your name to His and then took you Home. Your God adopted you and became your Father in Heaven. You are HIS!
If you're challenged this year to experience true Thankfulness...why not relax in this truth that's truer than true...You are HIS! The Father paid a high price to adopt you because He values you above everything else in creation and He will treat you and care for you as His treasure!
You are not Alone! You are not an Orphan! You are HIS! Believe It!
Pastor Harry