God's Love for His People

Bill White | Apr 7, 2024 | Watch in español

Study Guide

In the opening verses of Malachi, God reminds the Israelites of his faithful love for them. While they are stuck in a cultural moment of disappointment and confusion, God is at work in the wide world, preparing to send a Messiah who will deal with their greatest enemy of sin.

Application

Have you ever experienced a time when you doubted God’s love for you because of your circumstances? How can you grow in looking at your circumstances through the lens of God’s Word?
To build our “grip strength” on God’s love for us, we have to preach the truth to ourselves continually. What are some ways you can strengthen those muscles?

Key Points

The Israelites are frustrated with their lives. They thought returning to Jerusalem would resolve their problems, but they don’t feel like God loves them.
God responds by reminding them that he chose them—not because they are worthy, but because he chooses the weak things in this world to work his will.
God’s choice seems counterintuitive to us because he’s overthrowing the conventional wisdom of the world.
When we seek power, control, comfort, or security on our terms to bless ourselves, we become God’s enemy.
If we want a firm grip on God’s love for us, we must understand he came to deal with the enemy within us at great cost to himself.

Other Scripture References

1 Corinthians 1:27-28