July 11th~The Love of God

Psalm 115-118

We looked at four psalms, all with the common theme of love, God’s love. “Not to us, O Lord, but to You goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness” (115:1). “Praise the Lord, all you people of the earth, for He loves us with unfailing love...” (117:1, 2). “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” (118:1-4, 29).

God loves us, not sometimes but at all times, not because He has to, but because He wants to. It is His nature to love. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He has loved us from the beginning and He will love us to the end. That’s what it means that His faithful love endures forever. He has always and He will always give of Himself for others, for us.

Consider these verses that describe God’s unfailing love. “This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins“ (1 John 4:10).

“God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).

“This is how God loved the world — He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Does it not cause great joy to swell up knowing that God has always loved us and that He will continue to give of Himself for us for the rest of time? There is no greater love than His love!

I find it interesting, in regards to other religions and idols of the world, which we know are of Satan, that they require us to sacrifice ourselves for illusive gain. Take Islam, for example, in which Allah requires his followers to kill themselves and others, to attain his approval and a place in paradise. But with the God of the Bible, He sacrificed Himself on our behalf, so that we might gain from His love. What a marvelous mystery this is! What a wonderful truth! He loves us with an everlasting love!

Daily Reflection

How does hearing and knowing God’s love for you provoke you to action? What is your response?

You can reflect God’s love first by loving Him in return, then by loving others in the same way that He loves you, by giving of yourself to them. “If God so loved you, you also ought to love others” (1 John 4:11).

Loving God and loving others are not easy to do. Why not? What sacrifices are necessary for you to demonstrate your love to them?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30, 31).

BiAY.org | Day 192 — 173 Days to Go