Seventeen-year-old Chris sits on the sofa looking sullen. His father tries to reason with him and tells him with tears that he’s greatly grieved with him. Chris’ dad feels wounded by the ingratitude he’s received, even after lovingly caring for his son. In response, the boy snorts, “Really? Prove it!”

Sound absurd? Well, take a look at Malachi 1. The book of Malachi was written around 450 BC. The Israelites had returned from exile 80 to 90 years before. They had rebuilt the temple, but it was certainly nothing like Solomon’s original version. And they didn’t have a king, just a governor—an appointee from the Persian government. In the minds of many, God had failed them.

Against this backdrop, God patiently reasoned with His people. He said, “I have always loved you.” The evidence? He chose them and cared for them (Malachi 1:2-4).

Ray Stedman paraphrases God’s words this way, “If you want to understand My love, look at one who has not enjoyed My love. Look at Esau and see how different his story is from yours, even though Jacob and Esau were twin brothers.”

Sometimes our circumstances are such that we find ourselves wondering if God truly loves us. The devil is ever ready to whisper that He does not. What’s more, our circumstances seem to prove it! In such instances, let’s remember that God chose us to be His own (Ephesians 1:4-6) before the world began. The cross is evidence of His love. For that’s where “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).

Listen to His words again and take heart: “I have always loved you!”

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 13:17-14:31