If I had a dime for every time someone says that the God of the Old Testament is a big old meanie while Jesus in the New Testament is totally different, I’d be rolling in the dough. Possibly you’ve heard such claims, too? Or did you say it yourself? If so, it’s not true. Not at all. No if’s, ands, or but’s about it.

Yes, the Lord Almighty is deeply hurt when His created beings, made in His image, reject Him. Refuse His love and care. Snub their noses His way. Want nothing more to do with Him. Curse His name like it’s no big deal, coupled with belittling what He wants us to know, in the Bible, as prejudiced and unsafe old wives’ tales and myths. And He’s just supposed to sit there in heaven and take it all? Would you? Not me. The whole shootin’ shebang would have been wiped off the face of the earth a long time ago if it were up to me.

He has every right to be upset. And if someone, and there are way too many, wants nothing to do with the Lord for all eternity, then He’ll honor their request, much to their regret.

But even still, His love shines brighter and brighter. And I’m looking in the heart of the Old Testament. In the book of Isaiah. Shouldn’t I be mired there in God’s judgment? Where He gets up on the wrong side of the bed? Grouchy and touchy? That’s the Old Testament deity? I’ve actually read God’s first testament. The Old one, that is. And many times. As in every year. Which is why I get my dander up at those who have no idea what they’re talking about, that God is a colossal meanie all the way from Genesis to Malachi.

Take a good, substantial look at Isaiah 43: 4. Memorize it. Count on it. Hold it front and center in your heart and mind. Here it is–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ (Is. 43:4). Mull over those thoughts for a while. Good medicine for the soul, don’t you think? Spiritual antibiotics that quash the infectious wrong views some hold of our Lord in the Old Testament.

For I need those ‘and’/’and’ promises–of being precious, ‘and’ respected, ‘and’ loved. All by God! The Lord’s affection toward us keeps building. A crescendo of tenderness, warmth, and intimacy. When you imagine that God is out to get you, that He really doesn’t like you very much, then repeat those ‘and’/’and’ promises spoken in Isaiah 43. From the Old Testament, dare I say?

We’re precious to God. Worth a king’s ransom. He’d give His eyeteeth for us. How? That’s all about His Son Jesus and His dying on the cross. His life for ours. Once for all. For all who believe. For those who make a commitment to be His own, even as fallible as we are. All of this is God’s gift to you and me. Forget about earning any of it. Like we could? No way. It’s His gift.

And He respects us. Can you imagine? Makes me blush when I think of how undeserving I am. No doubt about it–I’m not worth God’s respect. But He gives it anyway. Why? What does He want in return? Nothing. Okay, maybe some thanks. Some praise and appreciation. To be His. And mean it. His respect is another gift. Such a meanie God! You think?

And now for the icing on the cake–God loves you and me. He’s crazy about us. His own children. Are you as uncomfortable with His loving you as I am about His loving me? I know myself. I’ve hurt others while being hurt as well. Sometimes I’ve turned my back on my Lord without hesitation. My love for God can do a nasty disappearing act, quicker than Houdini in his prime, and without much thought on my part. Will God’s love dematerialize and do a vanishing act?

You know. That’s why He makes these big ‘and’/’and’ promises, so you can trust what God says. Roll them around in your mind this week. When Satan challenges you, casting your sin smack dab in your face, then throw these ‘and’/’and’ promises right back at him and see him slink away.

I’m precious. And respected. And loved by God Almighty. And all this is front and center in God’s Word. Found where? Right again. In the Old Testament!

Thank you, Father, for all your promises to me. In Jesus’ name. And for His sake. Amen.