“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9
Cultivating Awe and Reverence for God, Day 30
The Love of God
This series would not be complete without looking at the love of God, but it is difficult to write about in a convincing way because we all have varied experiences with the concept of love. From our earliest years, possibly even prenatally, we’ve known varying degrees of love, varying ways of expressing it, and in some cases we’ve lived with a lack of love or a distorted, unhealthy expression of it.
God’s love is like everything else about Him: something we cannot fully comprehend in this life. We can only compare what the Bible says about God and love with the few experiences we have had and, sadly, with our own limited (and sometimes warped, ungodly) imaginations.
To comprehend God’s love is, as A.W. Tozer says, “like trying to take the ocean in your arms, or embrace the atmosphere, or rise to the stars.”*
The more I know God, the more I am in awe that He loves me, that He chose me to be His own, and particularly that He sent His Son to die for my sins so that I could live forever with Him.
His choice to love us had nothing to do with us, that is certain. There is nothing in us that should produce any love on His part—and that is just the point. We cannot earn it, we cannot change it, we cannot squirm out from under it, and we cannot do anything to keep it. It is all on Him. He loves us, and that is that.
It’s rather like my memory of being in first grade: each Monday the teacher would chose who would get to be eraser monitor for the week. As she looked out upon the children, she would simply choose someone. Oh, how my heart would pound with suspense! To be chosen by Teacher! To feel special, wanted, and important for a whole week!
Love, being an essential part of God’s being, proves that everything He does comes from His love, for His love cannot be separated from Who He is. Even when I don’t feel as if things are working out for my good, I can still believe that they are, because God loves me.
It fills me with awe that He chose me knowing all the sins I would commit, all the thoughts I would think, all the trouble I would cause, all the people I would hurt with my words, all the times I would be faithless, lazy, doubting, fearing, accusing, and criticizing. He didn’t choose me after He looked me over and said, “Hmmm, I don’t know about this one…”, but He chose me before the foundation of the world, before I ever came to be. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5).
When I think really big thoughts such as we’ve been doing this month in these devotionals—“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained”—then I see my smallness clearly, and I know I am nothing at all—“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit (give attention to and care for) him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
Maybe the concept of a God Who loves unconditionally is new to some of you. The Spirit-Filled Life Bible explains God’s love (using my own paraphrase) as a tireless benevolence, a goodwill that can’t be conquered, always seeking the highest good of the loved one no matter what she does. This love gives freely without any hope of the love being returned. The worth of the loved one is not to be considered. This love is a choice of the will.
To cultivate awe and reverence for God, remember that He knows you completely, yet has given you His best gift—His only begotten Son—so that you may be with Him forever. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
“God, You have proved Your love over and over, particularly by giving Your Son to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins we commit. We wholeheartedly thank You. Amen.”
As I sit here in this moment of thankfulness for this wonderful series, partially in dread that it’s coming to an end.. Thank you again for your obedience in giving what the Lord has given you to speak to us. I have recommended it to several of my friends, which I don’t normally do lest they think I’m ‘pushing’.
It has been the driver of getting me back into the Word on a regular basis.
Bless you from the bottom of my heart and thank you, Lord Jesus!
So again, I’m overwhelmed at this reality. And very very thankful
Like so many of my fellow readers, I do not want to let go of this wise, teachable series. Some things take time to soak in and are worthy of repeated meditation. This is certainly one of them. It would be a blessing to be able to visit and revisit the counsel given. Please consider printing this.