ISAIAH 43:1–9
The British Parliament commissioned artist Graham Sutherland to paint a portrait of Winston Churchill for his eightieth birthday. Churchill reportedly asked the artist if he would paint him as a cherub or the bulldog. Churchill liked these two popular perceptions of him, but Sutherland said he would paint what he saw.
Churchill was dissatisfied with Sutherland’s portrait, which depicted him slumped in a chair with his trademark scowl, and, after its unveiling, hid it in his cellar. It was later secretly destroyed.
Like Churchill, we often have an image of ourselves we desire others to have of us, whether it’s success, godliness, beauty, or strength. We may hide our “ugly” sides to avoid being hated if our true selves are known.
The Israelites were taken captive by Babylon. God allowed their enemies to conquer them due to their sins, but He reassured them that He knew them by name and was with them in every humiliating trial. They were secure and “precious” to Him, despite their ugliness.
When we understand that God knows us and loves us unconditionally, we become less motivated to seek others’ approval.
🙏 Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us as we are and changing us to become better versions of ourselves.
📷: stockphotodirectors
