Topic: The Heart of God – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries 10 September 2020

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The Heart of God

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV)

It was almost closing time, and a cup of hot soup was calling my name.

Thankfully, I work at a pharmacy in a grocery store, so my craving was just a few feet away. After returning from the soup aisle, I sent my technician home for the night. Business was winding down, and I was looking forward to a slow and uneventful last hour. Just me and my soup.

But the silence was short-lived. Within less than two minutes, a young man approached my pharmacy counter. Interestingly enough, I had noticed this man on my way to the soup aisle. I saw he didn’t have a shopping cart, a basket or groceries in his hand. And now here he was, at my counter.

“Hi, how can I help you?”I asked as I began walking toward him. The man looked behind him, then looked straight at me. “Oh, I’m just hanging out,” he said.

Hanging out? Who walks around a grocery store, buys no groceries and then hangs out at the pharmacy?

One thousand thoughts filled my mind, none of which were good. That’s it. I’m being robbed. My heart began to race. His hand reached to the inside pocket of his jacket, confirming my fears all the more. He then proceeded to pull something out.

“Shhhh,” he said, motioning.

My brain was in panic mode. Who is this guy, why is he at my counter, and why is he “shhh-ing” me? It took a few seconds for my brain to register what I saw. It was shiny … but it wasn’t a weapon. It was a security badge.

This man was working undercover and was there to protect our store … and me.

Boy, had I misjudged him.

Have you ever misjudged someone? Have you ever misjudged God?

I know I have.

When things don’t go as planned. When doors close in my face. When an unexpected illness arises. One thousand thoughts fill my mind, none of which are good. I start to question whether God cares or if He’s even aware of what’s going on. I question His love for me and wonder why He’s robbing me of my happiness.

How many times have I misjudged the heart of God?

In 1 John 4:10, the Apostle John states, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

This same John wrote the famous John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son … ” (KJV). John, the beloved disciple, wanted to make sure we knew what he knew so well.

God loves you.

All 66 books of the Bible reveal His love for us. From Genesis to Revelation, God quietly reaches into His pocket and shows us His badge of security — His badge of love. From the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane, His love for us does not change.

However disheartening our circumstances, I pray we never misjudge the heart of the One who watches over us. The heart of our heavenly Father. When we doubt His presence, God is there, working undercover. When we doubt His motive, He does not waver. He is for us.

He is our defender, our protector, our shield. He is our security.

Dear Jesus, thank You for being my ever-present help in times of trouble. Even when I doubt You, You remain faithful and loving. Despite any difficult situation I face, You will not leave me or forsake me. You remain true to Your Word. Please give me eyes to see and a heart to grasp how deep Your love is for me. Thank You for always watching over me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Ephesians 3:18, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” (NLT)

John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT)