Eternal God,

Uncreated Creator,

Life-giver and Sustainer,

You created us in your image.

From the beginning, you made us to show the world who you are and what you are like.

To find our identity in you.

From the beginning, you blessed so that we would be blessings. (Genesis 12:2)

To find our identity in you.

And yet we stray.

Prone to wander, Lord we feel it.

When Jesus went out to John to be baptized (Matthew 3:13-17),

he did not do so out of repentance.

But to identify with his people.

God dwelt among us.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him (John 1:10).

But, you have redeemed a people for yourself.

You have blessed us to be a blessing.

Through the work of You the Holy Spirit, we are united to You the Son

so that what is true of Jesus is true of us.

We find our identity in Jesus.

When Jesus went out to John to be baptized,

the skies parted, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father’s voice said:

You are my child and I am well-pleased.

Lord, help us to believe this about ourselves.

We are your children and your are well-pleased with us.

Even when we are not.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

What shall separate us from the love of God in Christ?

Nothing.

Shall trouble?

No.

Hardship?

No.

Persecution?

No.

Famine?

No.

Nakedness?

No.

Danger?

No.

or sword?

Not even swords shall separate us from the love of God in Christ. (Romans 8)

We know that “whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:17)

After Jesus was baptized, You the Spirit sent him to be tempted, and Satan took the chance to question Jesus’ identity (Matthew 4:1-11).

Satan tested: If you are really are the Son of God . . .

The world asks the same question to us: Are you really loved by God?

Yes.

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3).

We are God’s children and He is well-pleased with us.

We are convinced that nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ.

Not death, nor life,

Neither angels, nor demons,

Neither the present, nor the future,

Nor any powers, neither height nor depth,

Nor anything else in all creation

will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ. (Romans 8:38-39)