October 21, 2013

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) 

God beholds thee individually, whoever thou art. "He calls thee by thy name." He sees thee, and understands thee. He knows what is in thee, all thy own peculiar feelings and thoughts, thy dispositions and likings, thy strength and thy weakness. He views thee in thy day of rejoicing and thy day of sorrow. He sympathizes in thy hopes and in thy temptations; He interests himself in all thy anxieties and thy remembrances, in all the risings and fallings of thy spirit. He compasses thee round, and bears thee in His arms; He takes thee up and sets thee down. Thou dost not love thyself better than He loves thee. Thou canst not shrink from pain more than He dislikes thy bearing it, and if He puts it on thee, it is as thou wilt put it on thyself, if thou art wise, for a greater good afterwards.

J.H. Newman (1801-1890) Roman Catholic Cardinal*

"Thou dost not love thyself better than He loves thee."  I can write about God's love for me. I can look up verses about God's love for me.  I can sing (although not well) hymns about God's love for me.  But until I allow myself to feel, to accept, to bask in God's love for me, it remains a dry, academic endeavor.

God is love.  His love is perfect.  His capacity for love far outstrips my puny human attempts at love.  He does love me better than I can ever love myself. 

The depth, perfection and strength of His love for me is reason for celebration, adulation and thanksgiving.    

*Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 25
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html