As simple as it is profound, John 3:16 says, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Those are not just encouraging words to be casually thrown around; they are the words of life, demonstrating God’s eternal love for the world.

I have heard through the years from people who told me they really didn’t think that God loved them. They cited to me a litany of trials they had undergone, leaving them seriously doubting God’s love. They would say something like, ‘If God really loved me, He wouldn’t have allowed me to go through such hard times.’

They probably thought they were unique in their situation and assessment. However, their question and lack of understanding has been echoed down through the centuries.

The people of God had been only recently released from their 70 years of captivity in Babylon. A small remnant had returned to Jerusalem to begin the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple and the city itself. It was overwhelming. Not only was there a seemingly impossible amount of work to be done, they were constantly being harassed by the locals who passionately expressed their displeasure over them being there in the first place.

Their initial efforts were somewhat productive, but in time, the small number became discouraged and quit. Their spiritual state diminished along with their commitment to rebuilding. Before long, the people who had begun the work so zealously, were now despondent, and distrusting of their God.

The Lord sent prophets to them to try and encourage them in the work, but many of their words fell on deaf ears. Malachi was the last to deliver God’s word to them. He told them that God loved them, to which they shockingly denied. The account is told in…

Malachi 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

‘You say God loves us, but how? How has God loved us? We’re here in the midst of a pile of ruins, surrounded by people that hate us, and we are starving. Now, tell us again how God loves us!’

Israel refused to believe that God loved them because of what they could see. What they refused to ‘see,’ was that God had an eternal plan for them, and was still there for them if they would only humble themselves and call on Him.

God loves you today. He has a wonderful plan for you that stretches into eternity. He wants to share in a personal relationship with you today so that He can reveal His love to you, if you will only humble yourself and call upon Him in faith.