Nothing Can "Separate Us From God's Love"

DOES Jehovah God love you personally? Some agree that God loves mankind in general, as John 3:16 says. But they feel, in effect: 'God could never love me as an individual.' Even true Christians may occasionally have doubts in that respect. Discouraged, one man said: "I find it very difficult to believe that God cares anything about me." Do similar doubts afflict you at times?

Satan is eager for us to believe that Jehovah God neither loves us nor values us. True, Satan often seduces people by appealing to their vanity and pride. (2 Corinthians 11:3) But he also delights in crushing the self-respect of vulnerable ones. (John 7:47-49; 8:13, 44) This is particularly so in these critical "last days." Many today grow up in families where there is no natural affection." Others are constantly exposed to those who are fierce, selfish, and headstrong. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Years of being subjected to ill-treatment, racism or hatred may have convinced such ones that they are worthless or unlovable.

if you sense such negative feelings in yourself, do not despair. Many of us are unreasonably hard on ourselves from time to time. But remember, God's Word is designed for "setting things straight" and for "overturning strongly entrenched things." ( 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 10:4) The Bible says: "We shall assure our hearts before him as regards whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things." (1 John 3:19, 20) Let us consider four ways in which the Scriptures help us to "assure our hearts" of Jehovah's love.

Next time: Jehovah Values You

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002