Greatly Beloved
Be Strong, Be Well — Sunday, May 10
Today will be an unusual Mother’s Day for many who will not be able to be together with their moms as they normally would. Regardless, we will remember to show our love for all the mothers around us. Whether she’s our own mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, or friend, we honor all mothers today. Happy Mother’s day!
We appreciate the setting aside of special days to give honor to whom honor is due. In this country, there’s a day for just about everyone and everything. There’s one for mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. There are 26 days set aside to celebrate the special people in our lives.
God looks at His children as being very special, every day. In Daniel 9 the prophet said, “Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, “yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision” (Daniel 9:20-23).
Gabriel told Daniel he was “greatly beloved” by God. This word is translated in various ways as, "very precious," "highly esteemed," "greatly beloved" and "a favorite."
Although every human being is valuable and precious in God’s eyes, because all are His creation, but He regards some as more valuable than others. This is not because He’s a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). The difference depends on each individual’s attitude and behavior. Remember David was called a man after God’s own heart. Yet he sinned grievously. However He repented and returned to the Lord.
The exceptional value placed on someone by God is not based on race, color, status in life, or some predetermined decision by Him. God judges the heart. He looks deep into the minds of people. Those who love Him and are willing to obey His commands, are highly esteemed by Him.
Go back to Daniel. He was so precious and beloved by God, at the very moment he began his prayer, God told angel Gabriel to fly swiftly to Daniel so he wouldn’t have to wait another minute for an answer to his prayer.
Prayer is a wonderful privilege and a powerful tool. Couple that with a beloved, favored child of God, and watch what happens. —Chris