I witnessed a touching scene the other day, although an argument was close at hand, between a group of children. A small boy, about five, was clutching something to his chest. His face was twisted in alarm. Two other boys and a girl were taunting him saying, “You can’t keep them. They’re not yours.” “Yes, they are, too! My Dad gave them to me!” The boy kept his hands tightly holding onto what he claimed was his. Just then a man stepped out the front door and walked over to the group. (I was getting closer and slowed my pace; the exchange of words so intriguing I didn’t want to miss anything.) The boy with his treasure turned to his father and said, “they don’t believe these are mine.” His eyes were locked on his Dad’s face with a look of knowing that he would now be defended. The boy was right. “I gave those to him,” the father now ruffled his son’s hair. The other children shrunk back, appearing sheepish at their false accusation. Father and son exchanged smiles and walked together into their home.
I walked on with a reminder of God’s deep love for us. When any of us chooses to receive the love and forgiveness of Jesus into our lives, the enemy Satan, is livid! He will try his best to make you ineffective for the Kingdom of God. His best tactic is to lie. He will whisper that you are not worthy, that God can’t possibly love you anymore. He will remind you of past wrongdoings. He will taunt you with, “no one can love someone like you, and God is holy, so He can’t love you anymore either. You are just too awful!” Hasn’t the father of lies ever said such things to you?
You and I all know the terrible things we have done or thought. We don’t need to be reminded by our arch enemy. After all, when he dares accuse us, claiming that we don’t have the seal of God’s promise of forgiveness, love, and eternal life, who walks out the door to face our accuser? Jesus Himself. He says in John 10:28-29, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from my Father’s hand.” What a beautiful promise, so assuring and full of lasting peace.
Never forget who you are: a child of God Almighty, clean in the sight of God because you have been washed in the blood of Jesus — every wrongdoing gone and forgotten. Did you know that the Bible tells us that as soon as we ask forgiveness (meaning it) that Father not only forgives, but remembers the sin no more? How amazing is that! Why does He do that? Because of Grace. Because of His immeasurable love.
You are His treasure. He holds you tightly, clutching you to His heart. Safe in His hands — for eternity.
