Beloved!

In my most recent Rock4Today post featuring the

Names of God on Rocks,

I posted the name "Beloved".

It's interesting to me that not only does that name apply to Jesus,

but it's also a name that He has for us!



"The Beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him,
Who shelters him all the day long;
And he shall dwell between His shoulders."
Deuteronomy 33:12

I was not surprised that "The Beloved Disciple" John often used the word

"Beloved"

when referring to those in the family of God,

but it did surprise me how much Peter used the word in his epistle.

...I guess I always thought of Peter as a brash guy

who would have had trouble expressing words of love,

but these words (along with others from him) prove me wrong on that:

"Beloved,

do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,

as though some strange thing happened to you;

but rejoice..."

1 Peter 4:12

It is often easier for me to see that God loves others,
than it is for me to see how much He loves ME!
I guess that's why God tells us in 1 John 4:11-12
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another,"
because often the way we feel His love
is through another person!