The great distinctive of the love of the Christian God is that there are no strings attached to it. God simply loves humans. He created us for a love relationship with himself, and nothing that we can do—or not do—changes that love he bears us. Only the Lord God forgives all our offenses and teaches us how to forgive ourselves. Only the Lord God provides everything he demands. Only the Lord God offers the life of his own Son for the salvation of his people. Only the Lord God’s persistent habit of relating to humans with grace is the best news the human race has ever received.

                                                            -David Brenner

Help me, oh God, to surrender to the depths of your love and to release my fears that hold me back from believing your forgiveness could reach even me. I accept your invitation to get off the treadmill of good works in the vain hope of earning your salvation as long as I am “good enough.”

I am newly aware of the subterranean chambers of my soul where fears have lived unchallenged for decades—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of life’s demands, and fear of being misunderstood. They have left me spiritually handicapped.

The time has come to expose them and ask you to come, as you did to the disciples in the storm, and say, “It’s all right…I am here. Don’t be afraid” (Mark 6:50 NLT).

Your word is clear: “Perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18 NLT).

You are the inexhaustible source of love. Teach me how to lean into you—into your love—and to embrace grace.

I pray in the sweetest name I know, Jesus.