O, How God Loves You!

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Earlier this summer, my husband I took a trip to the California Redwood Forest. The last time we had visited was almost 39 years before on our honeymoon.

We traversed the well-worn dirt paths, surrounded by lush green foliage on either side. It was like a blanket that partially covered the mammoth roots of the mighty towering trees. Step by step we went deeper into this enchanting land. I felt transported into the story of J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings series, specifically Lothlórien, the fairest realm of elves. Only this was more breath-taking and surreal.

I paused and the Holy Spirit met with me. I was suddenly aware that just as I stood surrounded by the lofty redwoods, I was engulfed by His presence. My spiritual eyes discerned the presence of God pervading the forest as the Sustainer of Life of every living being. I wept with profound awe and worship. I was also grateful that no other hikers were in the area during this beautifully holy moment.

Suddenly the words of Psalm 8 enveloped me:

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
 Your glory is higher than the heavens.
 You have taught children and infants
 to tell of your strength, 
silencing your enemies
 and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
 human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
 and crowned them with glory and honor.
 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
the flocks and the herds
 and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
 and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

The psalm describes the majesty of God and His close relationship with human beings. It defies logic. The Creator of the universe gave us charge of everything He made. When we read other passages, God not only shares His authority, He pours out His love on us.

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

Too often our view of God is minuscule compared to His majesty. We lose sight of His glory.

“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1 NIV).

The Apostle John, the author of Revelation, described the throne of God in heaven:


In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
 to receive glory and honor and power.
 For you created all things,
 and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

This is the God who loves us so much that He made a way to be in relationship Him. That way was through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in Jesus and commit to follow Him, we are adopted into God’s family.


This all-powerful God is also all-loving. And, He loves you!


Ask the Holy Spirit to help you wrap your mind around this and to remember that your God is greater than anything you can ask or think. No matter what you might face in this life, it pales in comparison to your God. He can accomplish so much more than you can possibly imagine.


When you follow the Supreme God, you will thrive in life and leadership.

3 responses to “O, How God Loves You!”

  1. Alan Chin Avatar
    Alan Chin

    I am deeply touched by your amazing Holy Spirit inspired writing ❣️🥰Your special gift to write such wonderful inspiring stories for the glory of God in such extraordinary sensitive style is truly a special gift from God!

    I cherish you Joddi-Jay how you continue to grow intellectually – and more importantly – spiritually, in seeking the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul!

    I may have shared this metaphor story of “the parents are the bow, and the children are the arrows…the bow is drawn back as far as it can go… and then releases the arrow… and the arrow flies high up the Mountain of Llfe – where the bow cannot follow!”

    Joddi-Jay, you are that symbolic arrow in your amazing, inspiring, long obedience to Christ!

    I love you so much, Joddi-Jay, and may God continue to bless you and all your loved ones with much love, joy, faith, grace, hope, health and peace of heart ❣️🥰

    Shalom and PGAP 🙏✝️☮️🥰 (Praise God for Answered Prayers)

    Dad 😍

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    1. Joddi-Jay Avatar
      Joddi-Jay

      I am so grateful for your beautiful, affirming words. They touch my heart deeply. I am amazed at how God uses you, one day at a time. Love to you always!

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  2. Alan Chin Avatar
    Alan Chin

    Hi Joddi-Jay:

    Enclosed is my latest medical report:

    Anne and I have had excellent consultations with the surgeon, Dr Ong and with the respirologists, Drs Van Tongeron / Kumar about their proposed rehab programs…

    Dr Ong’s outpatient clinic will be doing a series of minor surgeries to slowly remove the large drain tube left in my collapsed lung – 1 inch at a time over several months…

    Drs Van Tongeron / Kumar will be prescribing strong antibiotics in 2-week intervals; and will be monitoring the effects on the infectious “staph anginosis.” they found in their lung biopsies.

    They think that this staph infection may have been the initial cause of my chronic pneumonia problems – which then precipitated my chronic kidney disease?!

    The best news is from the pathologist: NO CANCER in any of the lung Deuteronomy biopsies! Praise the Lord for His merciful, mysterious, Divine Sovereignty ‼️(Deuteronomy. 29: 29)

    It all sounds very intimidating and sometimes it feels like it will never end…like the Greek mythology “The Myth of Sisyphus” … In this allegory tale, Sisyphus has to push this large stone rock up a steep hill; and he can only rest when he finally reaches the top… Unfortunately, when he reaches the top of the steep hill and he starts to rest, the unstable rock starts to roll back down to the bottom of the hill again – and he has to start all over again…(haha🥲)

    So Anne and I will continue to eat the proverbial elephant – 1 bite at a time, by the sufficient grace of God – 1 day at a time… (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

    Shalom and MLA 🙏✝️🥰

    Dad 😍

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