People I Love

People I Love

Reading: Revelation 1-4 “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” (Revelation 3:19 MSG) Jesus speaking to and through John says some pretty challenging things to the seven churches of Asia. The only one he doesn’t have a strong corrective word for is the church of Philadelphia. They’ve all faced hardships—some have experienced severe persecution, some the loss of their livelihood and possessions, some have been betrayed by false friends, some misled by false teachers. It’s been tough! Jesus’ explanation of his corrective words…“The people I love, I call to account – prod and correct and guide so they’ll live at their best…” parallels the words of Hebrews 12:4-12 and re-emphasizes that God is a good Father who disciplines us, his children, for our own good. I know Father God loves me. I know it because I believe the truth of his word and I know it because he demonstrates it over and over in his care for me. I also know he loves me because he prods and corrects and guides me, though sometimes it’s difficult to maintain that perspective when my attitude gets “whiney.” Prayer: Father, I thank you for every demonstration of your love for me. I thank you for the promises and assurances of your love in the Bible. I thank you for the promises and assurances of your love in your provision and blessing on every part of my life. And I thank you for your instruction and correction—Father to beloved child—that also demonstrates your love for me. Help me to have a better attitude about the correction part! Amen.