Thursday, December 15, 2022 - GOD LOVES ME DEARLY

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 349 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah13:1-22; Psalm 136; 2 Corinthians 5:1-15)

GOD LOVES ME DEARLY

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

7 to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

8 the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever...

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

24 and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

25 he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

 (Psalm 136:1-9, 23-25 ESV)

We are about to celebrate the birth of Christ, the amazing proof that the Creator of everything has remembered the low estate of us sinners. He sent His one and only Son to rescue us from our foes of sin, death and the devil by dying on the cross in our place. The truly amazing thing is that His love is unlimited. 

David put it this way.... His love endures forever. 

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother singing this German hymn at Christmas time.

Here’s the English translation:

  God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation, 

  God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

  Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly,  

  God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

  (“God Loves Me Dearly,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2009, #392)

Lord, I give You thanks for Your love for me that grants me salvation and  endures forever. Amen.

Pastor David Paape