Dearly Beloved

At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved. Daniel 9:23. This is the first of three times God sends a message to Daniel that he is loved greatly; 9:23 and 10:13 and 10:19.  The next time the word ‘beloved’ appears is in Matthew 3:7 when God the Father speaks from heaven regarding His Son: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This is the love God has for you: greatly beloved. The same word is also translated “desire.” God’s desire is for you. His delight is in you. You are precious to His sight. God’s love is so strong He gave His son for our salvation, John 3:16. That is to say, you are so loved you were purchased by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus.

With love comes discipline. Blessed is the one whom God corrects. Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty, Job 5:17. Moses uses this same language to remind Israel of why they spent 40 years in the wilderness. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you, Deuteronomy 8:5.

For this reason, we come to God as our Father. We approach God through Christ not as strangers, nor as foreigners, but as His children. We come to our Father in spite of what the world may say; despite what doubting our enemy may whisper; regardless of our circumstance. For we know our Redeemer lives. Therefore, our prayers are heard; the answer has been sent forth. Now we wait!