Recently, I had the opportunity to pray with two people I didn’t know very well at all.  The life we shared in the Spirit was profound.  One of them took me aside and said, “While we were praying, I had a sense that you aren’t fully convinced of the kindness of God toward you.”

I was taken aback and felt sad if that were true.  But then, something stirred, and I was eager for God to show me something new about His kind nature.  It wasn’t until this morning, still half asleep, that the following thought came.  Kindness is most meaningful when you discover that God loved you way before now and made a way to provide what you would need. 

I embraced these beautiful truths all over again.

God planned to give the expensive gift of His Son from before the foundation of the world. All who dwell on the earth will worship the beast, except those whose names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.   Revelation 13:8

Why?

Because He saw me/you – before the foundation of the world. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless.  In love he predestined us for adoption.  Ephesians 1:4

God looked through time. He saw us. Exiles. Lost. Enslaved to sin and the god of this world.  There would be no way to be saved without shedding the blood of One perfect.  Kindness and compassion rose from His heart. “I will give my Son,” He said.  “One I love ~ for those I love.”  And it was done.

We are engraved on the palms of His hands. Not forgotten.  His kindness is still proactive ~ He sees the future, anticipates our needs, and provides.  This is Providence from Jehovah Jireh ~ driven by the power of lovingkindness.