We are beloved!

God is for us, not against us, we are beloved. 

John 3:17  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

The Word made flesh, Jesus, is our friend and advocate. Through Him and in Him we have an  abundant life with God. He accepts us as we are but we will be forever changed in His presence.

We can begin our day full and find ourselves empty by the day's end. But thankfully, our faithful God remains unchanging. His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercy never ends. Our hope rests securely in Him (Lamentations 3:22-24). Our almighty God may allow a bitter season, but He is fully prepared to provide what we need to get through any situation. He will cover us with His grace and never leave us fully exposed to harm. We stand protected by the all-sufficient One who sees through the darkness, knows what comes next and is always in control. First5 

“Let someone love you just the way you are—as flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you sometimes feel, and as unaccomplished as you think you are. To believe that you must hide all the parts of you that are broken, out of fear that someone else is incapable of loving what is less than perfect, is to believe that sunlight is incapable of entering a broken window and illuminating a dark room.” Marc Hack

God still looks for world changers. Men and women who believe God is not through with this world. Common people who serve an uncommon God. Will you be that kind of person? Will you serve, even when you don’t understand?

Yes, your sins are forgiven. Yes, your name is written in heaven. Yes, yes, your death is defeated. And yes, God has entered your world. He is Immanuel, God is with us. Max Lucado

Song of Solomon 5:16

16 His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem! The New King James Version

beloved (Heb. dod) Strong’s #1730: In Hebrew love poetry, dod is a term of endearment used for a male loved one, usually translated beloved. The name David is derived from dod and carries the same sense, meaning “Beloved One.” When dod is used in narrative, it means “uncle” or another close male relative. The NKJV Study Bible.

Christians, who are well acquainted with Christ themselves, should do all they can to make others know something of him. Divine glory makes him truly lovely in the eyes of all who are enlightened to discern spiritual things. He is white in the spotless innocence of his life, ruddy in the bleeding sufferings he went through at his death. This description of the person of the Beloved, would form, in the figurative language of those times, a portrait of beauty of person and of grace of manners; but the aptness of some of the allusions may not appear to us. He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all that believe. May his love constrain us to live to his glory. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

2 Samuel 1:23 

“Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,

And in their death they were not divided;

They were swifter than eagles,

They were stronger than lions.