He Still Loves You | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for March 11

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” — Malachi 1:2-3 ESV

The book of the prophet Malachi was written after the Israelites returned to their land after the Babylonian exile. However, their return wasn’t what they expected. They expected the Lord to send the Messiah to inaugurate the great kingdom promised to David. Instead, their nation was overrun with corruption, injustice, and poverty once again. 

Their poor circumstances led them to question the Lord’s love for them. After all, if the Lord loved them, He would show them favor, right? Well, yes, but He showed them favor in a different way. He calls them to remember Jacob and Esau. The Lord blessed Jacob, though he was younger than his brother, Esau. This favor extends to Jacob’s descendants as well—the Israelites! 

When situations look bleak for us, it’s easy to call God’s love into question. You may have thought this at some point: “Well, if God loved me, then He wouldn’t have allowed ‘whatever’ to happen.” This isn’t how God’s love works. To be loved by Him doesn’t mean that you are without trials; it means God is with you. And That is His favor! Remember this today: Your situation doesn’t reflect God’s love for you. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross reflects God’s love for you—and He promised He’d never leave you nor forsake you. So, regardless of your circumstances, praise the Lord in the midst of it. And remember: His presence is with you, as is His love. And if that weren’t enough, He has an eternal plan for you, and it is good. That plan is still in place; Christ is still on the throne, all is well!