WANTED AND DESIRED
“Do you understand that you are unwanted and undesired?” Imagine hearing those words spoken concerning you. A couple from Tennessee were in the process of adopting an eight-year-old Russian girl who was orphaned. The judicial proceedings required the judge to read an itemized list of legalese, informing the girl of her decision to leave her native country and live in America. One of his questions was, “Do you understand that you are unwanted and undesired by anyone in your native country?”
Her adoptive parents were horrified that the girl was forced to hear such statements spoken about her. They fought back tears, and following the adoption proceedings, knelt in front of their daughter, hugged her, and cupped her face in their hands. Looking lovingly into their daughter’s eyes, they told her, “You are our child now. From this day forward, you will NEVER hear words such as ‘unwanted’ and ‘undesired’ spoken over you again.”
The same is true for us. Ephesians 1:5 states that even before creating the world, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (NLT). One of Satan’s favorite tactics is to attack our God-given identity, convincing us we don’t matter to God. But look closer. We are wanted and desired by our Father!
But it gets even better. Zephaniah 3:17 reveals this about God and His children. “He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy” (GW). No matter how we feel, no matter how we act, this is God’s truth!
That’s like a fresh breeze blowing across our lives. In our current condition, the harsh tempests of conflict blast us with uncertainty. Despair and doubt wage war for the soul of America. But in the midst of this confusion, one thing is clear. We are wanted and desired by the Creator of the Universe. When we truly grasp that promise in our innermost being, everything changes— regardless of external circumstances. No matter what others say about you, no matter what transpires in our nation, no matter what the future holds, we are God’s precious children, and that can never be taken from us. Through your connection with Jesus, you will never be alone or abandoned. You will always be wanted and desired.
Principle: You are wanted and desired by God.
Promise: No matter what the future holds, you will never be abandoned.
Ponder:
On a scale of one to ten, how much do I really believe I am wanted and desired by God?
How can I learn to trust what God tells me about my identity as His child?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Ephesians 1:3-14.
Prayer: “Father, as Satan bombards me with lies about my identity, at times it’s hard to believe I am wanted and desired by you. Increase my faith to trust what you say about who I am through Jesus.”
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotion.