How Deep
by David Brenneman
Do you realize that you are uniquely you in the eyes of God? That you, yes you, are so loved that Jesus thought of you specifically while on the cross? Do you see how deep the love of God is for you?
2023 might not have gone the way you wanted. It might have appeared to be disappointing or even disastrous. But when you set your emotions aside...do you see the fingerprints of your Savior?
I have had many seasons in my life where I felt very alone, yet, I can look back and indeed see where Jesus was carrying me.
The perhaps most famous chapter in the Bible is Psalm 23. It's been quoted in countless war movies and quite a few television shows. The line in it that has stuck out to me was wrapped up in a lesson that the Spirit wanted me not to miss. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Verse 4.
We are walked through the dark times. We are not to sit down and sulk.
We are not to choose to be defined by our circumstances.
Our definition of who we are, our identity, is who Jesus says we are after we come to Christ for salvation. A very good song on this is by Hillsong Worship "Who You Say I Am"
Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?I was lost, but He brought me inOh His love for meOh His love for me
Who the Son sets freeOh, is free indeedI'm a child of God, yes, I am
Free at last, He has ransomed meHis grace runs deepWhile I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for meYes, He died for me
Who the Son sets freeOh is free indeedI'm a child of God, yes, I amIn my Father's houseThere's a place for meI'm a child of God, yes, I am
I am chosen, not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me, not against meI am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me, not against meI am who You say I amI am who You say I am
Who the Son sets freeOh is free indeedI'm a child of God, yes, I amIn my Father's houseThere's a place for meI'm a child of God, yes, I am
In my Father's houseThere's a place for meI'm a child of God, yes, I am
I am chosen, not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me, not against meI am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me, not against meI am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsakenI am who You say I amYou are for me, not against meI am who You say I amOh I am who You say I amYes, I am who you say I am
Who the Son sets freeOh is free indeedI'm a child of God, yes, I amIn my Father's houseThere's a place for meI'm a child of God, yes, I am.
My identity is not wrapped up in my worldly successes or worldly failures.
My identity is not what people say for me or say against me.
My identity is not in a nickname nor in a position within a company or job that I do.
For me, I am who Jesus has named me to be. Do you really really understand the power in that? Jesus renamed Simon to Peter. Saul was renamed Paul. We are who Jesus says we are. Jesus will never call you "Failure" or "Quitter". He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We just need to ask to be cleansed, to be forgiven. To be forgiven is to be made right before God. To be made right is to be put in good standing, to have no judgments against us.
Do you yet begin to understand and see how deep the Father’s love for us is?
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
-Stewart Townend.
Before you get wrapped up in the hype of the New Year's day...take time to be alone with Jesus and just be thankful. Thank Him for who He’s making you to be. Thankful for all the perceived good and bad of 2023. Thankful for the great love with which He loves you. Thankful that He IS your living Lord and Savior.
Ending a year with thanksgiving will help you to be on a much better footing for the next.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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