A popular Christian song at the time my children were small included the line, ‘The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the whole world is under His smile.’
One day my young son said to me, ‘Mummy, the whole world is God’s chin, isn’t it?’ When I asked him why, he said, ‘The whole world is under His smile, so it must be God’s chin.’
The metaphor of being ‘under God’s smile’ is tricky for a young (and literal-thinking) mind to grasp. The truth of what it means can also be difficult for those of us who are older to comprehend.
However, once we catch the revelation of Father’s affection towards us, our lives and ministry will never be the same.
We Have God’s Love and His Affection
‘For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son…’ (John 3:16a)
When we look at the cross, we begin to comprehend the love of God. But have we also caught the revelation of His affection towards us?
In a world of damaged and broken relationships, love is an emotion that is often mixed with dark feelings. In our humanity, it is possible to love someone, whilst simultaneously being disappointed, disapproving or hurt. We even talk of ‘love-hate’ relationships.
Yet the love of our Father God towards us includes His affection and affirmation. His approval of us as His children has nothing to do with our behaviour, but all about what Jesus has done.
When God sees you, He looks through the cross.
You are His beloved. You are ‘under His smile.’ He not only loves you, He approves of you. He is pleased with you. You have His favour. He actually likes you.
‘And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”’ (Luke 21:22b)
1. Knowing God’s Affection Will Transform Your Prophetic Ministry
‘The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does.’ (John 5:20a, AMP)
Are you seeking to grow in the gift of prophecy? In John 5, Jesus mentioned the basis by which He received prophetic revelation and lived a supernatural life, which is the way we can, too. And that, very simply, is this:
Our Father wants to share with us the things on His heart and mind with us, because He loves us.
Another translation reads,
‘For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does.’ (John 5:20a, MEV)
- Picture God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, sharing the things that are on His heart (Gen 3:8)
- Or walking with Enoch, disclosing things of the future (Gen 5:24, Jude v14)
- Sharing His plans with Abraham, the ‘friend of God’ (Gen 18:17, Is 41:8)
- Talking with Moses ‘face to face, as a man speaks to his friend’ (Ex 33:11)
It’s time to re-examine our relationship with God and the reasons we seek prophetic revelation from Him.
- Do we seek to hear from God because of our love for Him?
- Do we seek prophetic insights because we are focused on His love for others?
- Do we seek prophetic revelation because of a particular need or ministry engagement?
All of these reasons are good.
But when we catch the revelation that God wants to share with us because of His love and affection towards us, our prophetic awareness will increase.
Suddenly, it is not about Him responding to us, we are responding to Him. God is the initiator—waiting and wanting to share. He wants to walk and talk with us. He is waiting to ‘bubble over’ the things He is thinking about.
Knowing this increases our expectancy and faith.
We will see the ‘greater things’ of His Kingdom that we have longed for.
‘For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.’ (John 5:20)
2. Knowing God’s Affection for You Will Transform Your Life
- Knowing His affection heals us of our need to perform to win God’s approval. We are already approved. There is freedom in this revelation.
- Knowing His unchangeable affection breaks the power and cycle of sin and shame as we recognise that these things have no power over us.
- Knowing His affection gives us security. Fear cannot hold us. Knowing He is smiling at us gives us courage to face the future.
When you know His affection, you realise your worth. You are not valued by your accomplishments. If all of these were removed, you are still valuable to God and approved by Him.
You are under His smile.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Related Posts:
No Longer An Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love
Your Value To God Is Not Based Upon What You Do
Do you have a testimony about knowing God’s affection, or can you think of some more ways that the revelation of our Father’s affection can impact our lives? Leave a comment in the comments box – if this is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
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Dear Helen,
I am writing to you because I want to thank you for praying for me a few weeks ago. It helped me a lot, though my general situation has not changed. I know what it feels like to kwow God loves me more than I can understand at the moment, but unfortunately I have lost this feeling to some extent. 5 years ago my prophetic mum died with whom I had developed my prophetic gifts. I am still sad and so many things have changed since then. I still have my gifts, but I miss her love and secure guidance so much. Especially, because I need to find a new job and I wish that Jesus will help me out of this situation very soon, because I also need a new place to live, as I get allergic reactions to something in my flat and the landlord turns up the music at night. This is not the atmosphere to be able to write a thesis for a phd. I am rather sad and if possible please pray for me again. I thank Jesus for your commitment and this blog.
Conny
Hi Conny, I do pray for you, that you will know His love and sustaining power and for breakthrough in your situation, which sounds tough. But your Father knows and will be lining up things in the background that you aren’t yet aware of, to bring you through this and to a better place. You are blessed and loved.
Ha pasado unos dias del encuentro con el profeta,y todavia no digiero la actitud mantenida para conmigo,despues de años de familiaridad,de repente se torna fria,en momentos aspero,no obstante sigo amando a mi hermano el profeta…No he perdido del todo el piso de mi llamado,considerando que en cuestion de profecia personal,un profeta te dice algo y otro diferente te dice la otra parte,aun asi el rompecabezas todavia no se completa,y hay que esperar la buena voluntad del Señor en el llamdo recibido …sigo escuchando la profecia que me fue dado hace algunos años,PERO,ya no me apego a ello en un cien por ciento porque creo que el SEÑOR tiene cosas mejores para mi y debo esperar y mientras tanto ejercitarme en todo aquello que me ha sido dado por el Señor mediante el E.S…Hna.Helen,sus mensajes han sido atinados,respecto a la situacion que vivo,ahora,es cuestion seguir orando con la intensidad que lo he hecho durante años y esperar cuales son las indicaciones del Señor para este tiempo…mientras tanto trabajo…EN MIS PERIODOS DE ORACION ESTA USTED Y SU ESPOSO COMO TAMBIEN SU MINISTERIO,gracias por su ayuda…y santidad e integridad al Señor siempre.
Jose, I hear wisdom from God in your words.
As the Apostle Paul said, ‘I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.’ (Ephesians 1:17)
Tiene usted razon,sigo orando y el Señor en breve me hara saber que es mejor para mi en este momento.Hna.Helen gracias…
praise Elohim for this site it is awesome. I cant get enough I struggle to decide what ill click on next because its all so brilliant well done good and faithful servants of the Most High, Was in heaven for about 20 mins when murdered at age 23 resurrected from the dead before I was born again . On fire for a few years after teen challenge and then back sliden for nearly a decade to my disgrace. I cant imagine how much I grieved my Holy Spirit but He never gave up on me. I have many self sympathetic circumstantial excuses or reasons for leniency but I make no excuses and have repented once and for all. He corrects me not punishes me He loves me I love him.