“The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night.” Ps. 42:8, NASB
Stirring in my sleep, part of a song’s chorus repeated through my mind: You are beloved… Over and over and over. When I fully awoke, I recalled this occurrence and tucked it into my heart. I sensed God’s tender activity—His song in the night.
It had been an intense period. Multiple family events, though truly wonderful, had placed demands on me that left me craving rest. On that particular day, we looked ahead to an extended family gathering in the evening. While I didn’t face a day of huge responsibilities, I honestly longed to Just. Do. Nothing.
But I couldn’t. Of course I needed to attend my family gathering. I love my family. But oh, I wished I could rest.
That song refrain never left my mind. Like a melodic whisper, it remained in my awareness. Could it be that my heavenly Father was encouraging me, knowing how exhausted I felt? Was He urging me onward with this tender expression of love?
I believe so. Consider this excerpt from my prayer journal:
Upon awaking, I was exhausted. I’d stayed up until almost 2 am the night before … I slept okay but woke way too early—maybe around 7 am or so. I tried to go back to sleep until 9 am but to no avail. Yet! In my early morning sleeping time or during the two hours I tried to go back to sleep (I don’t recall which), a song phrase repeated over and over in my mind: “You are beloved.” Once fully awake, I realized that was a gift from You—a word to me of Your love for me.
Any doubts that might have swayed me from this belief were erased later. More from my journal:
You reminded me again that same night when I parted from family time at my dad’s house. My brother, Mark, complimented me on my children’s successes. I replied, “God is faithful.” Mark smiled and said, “He loves you.” There it was again! An expression of Your love for me. Thank You so much, Father. I treasure this memory and truth.
What a loving Father we have, my friends. So many adjectives describe Him, yet He IS love. Perhaps you need this reminder today, and it’s my honor to share this truth with you.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38-39
In Christ Jesus, we receive God’s love. Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29), is the complete expression of God’s love. Let that truth wash over you again—delight in how it impacts your life now and forever.
Remember … and rejoice: You are beloved.
In Christ’s Love,
Tweetables:
So many adjectives describe God, yet He IS love. (Click to tweet)
I showed this to your brother, and he was really touched. Thanks for the reminder that God loves and that he is love.
Dear Phoebe,
Thanks for sharing this with Mark. I’m thankful God gives me opportunities to share about Him – thank you for reading :).
Much love to both of you, and it was terrific to spend time together recently.
In Christ’s love,
Emily
Grammar nerd moment here. We say God is caring and guarding and patient…and so many other adjectives, but “love” is not an adjective. Yes, He is loving, but it goes beyond that. Love is a noun or verb. (Old DC Talk song in my head now.) Love is, in some ways, the definition of Him because we define things with an alternative word of the same type. Oh, thanks for writing this Emily. My brain is turning back flips!
Dear Carole,
I love your thought, “Love is, in some ways, the definition of Him because we define things with an alternative word of the same type.” Thank you! I appreciate your thoughtful comment. Great to hear from you – so glad for our reconnection at BR this past May. Blessings to you in Christ as you continue writing for Him.
In Christ’s Love,
Emily
I’m thankful as well. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this Emily. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I’m so glad to hear this – thanks for letting me know. To God be the glory! Thinking of you with love.
In Christ’s Love,
Emily