December 4
Scripture of the day: "'I have loved you,' says the Lord. But you say, 'How have You loved us?' 'Was not Esau Jacob's brother?' declares the Lord. 'Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.' Though Edom says, 'We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins'; thus says the Lord of hosts, 'They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the Lord is indignant forever.' Your eyes will see this and you will say, 'The Lord be magnified beyond the border of Israel!'" Malachi 1:1-5
Thought of the day: Malachi wrote five criticisms from God. Each contains a rhetorical question and His answer. In His first criticism He states, "I have loved you" ... followed by the rhetorical question, 'How have You loved us?' God's answer is that He chose Jacob over Esau ... and He condemned Edom's land forever. For an explanation of God's choice of Jacob (and rejection of Esau) read Romans 9:10-21. Edom was a descendant of Esau and Ishmael's daughter.
Challenge of the day: God's answer to "How have I loved you?" is I chose to love you. Don't doubt His love ... He loves you. It was that love that motivated the Father to send Jesus to be your Savior, John 3:16. His love gift of salvation is not automatic. You must receive it ... click here: Gospel/911God if you are not sure of your salvation. Never doubt His love after you have received that gift. Nothing can separate you from His love, Romans 8:35-39. He chose us before the foundation of the world, Ephesians 1:3-12. Never doubt His choice to love you!
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