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December 27, 2008

Feelings-Deficient

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READ: Psalm 62

I sought the Lord, and He heard me. —Psalm 34:4

Mallory doesn’t feel loved by God. She received Jesus as her Savior several years ago and is confident that she is forgiven and will spend eternity with Him. She believes what God says in His Word, but she would also like to feel loved.

Her friends give her what she thinks is a pat answer: “It’s not about feelings! Just believe and the feelings will come later.” She says, “Okay, but when is later?” She believes she’s “feelings-deficient.”

God created us in His image to have emotions, so the longing to feel loved is legitimate and good. One way that many of us sense we’re loved is when someone talks with us and listens to us.

God provides those needs in our relationship with Him too. He speaks through His Word to our heart (Heb. 4:12), and He wants us to pour out our heart to Him about everything (Ps. 62:8)—even our longing to feel His love. Besides a relationship with Him, He daily gives us our breath, clothing, food, and shelter. Like the psalmist, we can find Him to be our “rock” and “refuge” as we trust Him (vv.2,7).

God loves us. Now, we walk by faith. One day, when we’re in His very presence, we’ll never again be feelings-deficient.

Thinking It Through
Read these passages about God’s love for you:
Jeremiah 31:3; John 15:9-11; 1 John 4:9-10.
What can you thank God for today?

Knowing that God loves us comes by faith; feeling His love for us comes by relationship.

Bible in One Year: Revelation 17–22; Proverbs 30:21-33