God is Proud of You

I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.

I was having lunch with my friends who are missionaries in El Salvador. For about an hour, we shared what the Lord is doing in our lives. Mostly, I just sat and listened, gleaning from their godly wisdom. I soaked in their passion for ministering to hurting people, secretly hoping it would rub off on me. Then, as we said good-bye, my eyebrows raised when I heard, “We’re proud of you.”

What?! I thought. They’re proud of ME? No, no! It’s the other way around!

What I wanted to say was, “It’s your commitment to the poor that touches my heart deeply! It’s your tenacity to share the gospel in one of the most dangerous countries in the world that challenges me! It’s your faithfulness to share the love of Christ that reminds me to reach out to others! I’m so proud of YOU!”

But I didn’t. I was too shocked to speak. As I drove home, I wondered, Were they praising my achievement of being a bestselling author of two books? Patting me on the back for having a successful online Daniel Fast ministry? Applauding my abilities as a speaker?

No, I don’t think so. I doubt that their affirmation was prompted by any accomplishment or accolade. Instead, they wanted to communicate, “We’re proud of who you are. We see the Lord at work in your life, and we thank Him for what He’s doing.”

I thought about those four words several times throughout the day. Such an unexpected gift from my dear friends. Such a priceless treasure I will hold in my heart always. Then I realized that their declaration was God’s message to me as well.  

The Lord is proud of me simply because I’m His child. I belong to Him, and He thinks I’m pretty special. My heavenly Father loves me when I’m generous and kind. He loves me when I’m selfish and mean. God doesn’t focus on all the bad stuff when He looks at my life. That sin has been covered by the cross! What He does see is His beloved Son, Jesus, and He is well pleased.

If you’ve been born again – if you’ve accepted God’s gift of salvation – the Lord sees you the same way! Your Father wants you to know that He’s proud of who you are! You’re precious and valuable, not because of anything you’ve done, but because you’re His.

The message the Lord spoke to my heart is also meant for you: 

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and…I love you” (Is. 43:4).

Receive those words as God’s gift to you today!

{Stay informed about upcoming events, new Daniel Fast recipes, and my latest blog posts by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.}