Yes, Jesus Loves Me
Ah, the favorite children’s song! At our church, we have a tradition that if your birthday falls on a service day, you get to pick your favorite hymn as part of the congregational singing. And this is the most chosen song by the little ones! As a child, you don’t doubt that Jesus loves you—it’s just a simple truth that you accept and rest in.
But sometimes, as you get older, life hits. You realize what a big and broken world you live in. It’s easy to begin to wonder, With all the wars and the crime and the big things going on, how can such a great God take the time to care for and love me? Or maybe you realize more how sinful you are, and wonder, How can God love a sinner like me? Perhaps you experience pain in your own life, and you’re tempted to think, If God really loves me, would He allow me to go through such a difficult thing?
Well, I’m here today to remind you of a simple truth from the Bible. It’s a truth I’ve needed to relearn as an adult, and the Scriptures below are what God has used time and time again to confirm His love for me. In some of the passages, I’ve put an emphasis on the phrases or words that speak specifically to an individual or include all. It’s my hope that as you renew your mind in God’s word, there will rise in your heart an unshakeable confidence that “Yes, Jesus loves me!”
He created me.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16
He died for me.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9.
Hebrews 2:9
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job 19:25-27a
He knows me.
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psalm 139:1-5
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2 Timothy 2:19
He thinks about me.
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Psalm 40:17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Psalm 139:17-18
He hears me.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
Psalm 120:1
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:3
He is with me.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10
Before I share this next verse, I’m going to tell you something really fascinating that I’ve learned in church and Bible school. In old English, the words thee, thou, etc. are also speaking or referring to an individual. Words like you, ye, yours, etc. are addressing a group of individuals. So with that understanding, this verse becomes extra personal.
For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
Our response to this truth.
I am by no means advocating a me-centered Christianity. The very reason God’s love is so amazing is because we do not deserve it. He does not love us for any merit of our own, but for Christ’s sake and because He is love. But if you do not understand and believe the personal love of Christ for and to you, then you will be unable to live a victorious Christian life. It’s not God’s will that we fear, doubt and question. He wants us to simply trust what He says in His word.
This truth should inspire a humble gratitude to our Savior and a deeper love for Him in return. Out of that love for Him will come a desire to serve and obey Him, and a longing to know Him more. Friend, rest today in the glorious knowledge that Jesus loves you. He cares for you–personally–and can meet your every need. Let this assurance sink deep into your soul, and then live to know Him and make Him known!
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19
