THE FOREVER LOVE OF THE FATHER
… “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love…” Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17 (NIV)
I remember meeting the girl who’s now been my wife for 28 years. I remember the moment I fell in love with her. I remember where I was sitting, the color of the couch and how far away we were from the front door. I’ll never forget that moment. She was headed to work, and as I said goodbye, in that very moment, something exploded in my heart. That’s the moment my love for her began.
God doesn’t have a moment like that for you. There was never a time when God started loving you. That’s because God’s love has no beginning and no end. Scripture tells us that, yes, we are alienated and enemies of God because of our sin and disobedience (see Colossians 1:21). But we also learn in Romans 5:8 that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In other words, God’s love has always been there, and His love is greater than our sin. No matter what you’ve done or where this life has taken you, you are never too far away from the love of God. Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try receiving God’s love and see what happens!
The best proof that Christ will never cease to love us lies in the fact that He never began. Geerhardus Vos
APPLICATION: Take your fears and doubts and come close to God. Set aside time today to simply sit with the Father, who has always and will always love you.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me when I was far away. Jesus, thank You for loving me in my sin. Holy Spirit, I surrender myself before You and ask You to fill my heart with Your love and acceptance. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?