Devotional Gems by Jolene: Our Own Love

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Our Own Love

OUR OWN LOVE

Malachi 1:2-3: “‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.

But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother’ the Lord says, ‘yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’”

When: Around 430 B.C.

Who: The Jews resettling into Judah after Babylonian exile.

Why: The Israelites in the prophet Malachi’s time felt unworthy and unlovable.

Jewish descendants from such a dynasty of patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are proud of their heritage. Centuries later, even Apostle Paul bragged about being a “Hebrew of Hebrews” in Philippians 3:5. (See lesson linked below).

So, why were the Israelites in Malachi’s time so depressed? Their bondage to Babylon had ended, they were resettled in Israel, and their Temple was rebuilt. This should have been a time of joy and celebration.

But really, Israel was in a shambles. Poverty was rampant. God sent Malachi to encourage and correct His sad people. The first thing Malachi taught was to know God’s love for them.

But the people couldn’t believe him. They thought that God’s grace and mercy was only because of the worth from their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In fact, Jewish daily prayers began, “Blessed are you God, our God, and the God of our forefathers…” They emphasized that God is the God of their forefathers. They forgot that God is their God, too.

Malachi reminded them that they are God’s children. He encouraged them to come to Him personally as their God. He told them what God said, “Take a good look. Then you’ll see how faithfully I love you and you’ll want even more, saying, ‘May God be even greater, beyond the borders of Israel!’” (Malachi 1:5 The Message).

Our relationship with God must be personal. Christians claim Jewish inheritance from our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, too. But God’s love for our patriarchs only goes so far. Otherwise God would have loved arrogant Esau, as well as Jacob.

Ultimately, God’s love is based on one person and Himself.

Take Home Nugget

Many of us come from families where parents or grandparents were faith warriors. And we stand on their shoulders. But their faith is not enough. We’re adopted into God’s family through our own faith. Every person must discover a personal connection to God—before we can enjoy the benefits of our blessed heritage.

God cannot be inherited. The relationship must be cultivated by each individual. The trials we endure develop our own faith. Then, God’s love is for our own sake, not based on family ties.

Eventually, God becomes our own love.

Maybe this is your “New Year’s” resolution?

Father, help me to embrace You as my God, my own love. Amen.