Day 15: Because I Love You

God’s love is His ultimate reason for doing things. This love is a steady foundation in our lives. The prophet Isaiah develops this theme when he says in Isaiah 43:1-4:

“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. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honoured, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.’” (NKJV)

God never offers any explanation of why He loves. But He says, "Because I love you, I will do everything that I’ve committed Myself to do. I’ll manipulate all history to bring My purposes and My promises to you to fulfilment."

God doesn’t say, "I’ll keep you from suffering or from difficulty or from danger." He doesn’t say, "You’ll never pass through the waters; you’ll never walk through the fire." But He says, "When you pass through the waters or the fire, I will be with you."

The history of Israel shows this to be true. No other nation has gone through so much "fire" and "waters" as the Jewish people, but Israel still exists today.

And then in Isaiah 43:5, God says, "Fear not, for I am with you." There is a love that leaves no room for fear. And that is the only way we can enter into this relationship with God: through love that takes away the fear that would keep us back from fully yielding.

For reflection and prayer

You cannot understand God’s love for you, but you can trust it.