Lately I have found myself humming and old gospel hymn reflecting on God’s great gift of love through Jesus. Here are some of the lyrics: “No one ever cared for me like Jesus, His faithful hand has held me all this way, and when I’m old and grey and all my days are numbered on this earth, let it be known in you alone my joy was found…..my treasure is in heaven and you are everything to me.”
Charles Weigle, was an itinerant evangelist and hymn composer, writing this song in 1932. After an evangelistic crusade and many days away from his family, he returned home to an empty house. His wife had left him, and in his sorrow and loneliness, God met with him, encouraged and comforted him.
As Rick Warren once share: “God’s love is like an ocean; you can see its’ beginning, but not its end.” I have found God’s love to be steadfast and eternal. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. When we feel alone in surrounding darkness, he comes to us, like he did to Charles Weigle, and reminds us of his great love and friendship. We are never alone.
John, the Apostle, wrote from his experience: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love,” (1 John 4:7-8).
It is traditionally suggested that John was in advanced age as he composed and spoke these words possibly at Ephesus. I wonder, after living with Jesus and observing his many various expressions of love, if John wanted to once more, share his understanding and acquired wisdom to encourage and guide others?
Is it possible that through everything he observed and learned he also came to the conclusion that God’s kingdom boils down to one word – “Love?” Did he also, through the highs and lows of his life, also find the One constant, that forever remains and faithful and never changes – Jesus? In my 66 years of knowing him, and 46 years of serving him, he still remains the same no matter my circumstances – He is Love.
Especially during this month, I hope you can find a moment to pause and reflect on the following scriptures, as we enjoy this festive season of Light; reminding us when love in the form of Jesus came to earth and became a tangible and ever present gift of love and life.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah!
In His love,
God loves you so much he sent his son and nothing can separate you from His love -
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:37-39.
God gave his only son to the world so you could have eternal life -
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16.
I have learned that God is always with us – He is always with you too -
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior, He will exult over you with joy, He will quiet you in his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy,” Zephaniah 3:17.
If you accept him into your life – he calls you his child –
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him,” 1John 3:1.
He desires to be your loving Father that through his correction he demonstrates his love for you –
“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and disciplines every son whom He receives,” Hebrews 12:6.
He is patient and attentive, and slow to anger. His faithfulness, mercy and great love is unfailing –
“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth,” Psalm 86:15.
He keeps his covenant and steadfast love –
“Know therefore that the Lord your God , He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and steadfast love (lovingkindness) to a thousandth generation with those who love him and keep his commandments,” Deuteronomy 7:9.
His love was made manifest on earth –
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” 1John 4:9-10.
A prayer for you -
Father thank you for Jesus and this beautiful season of love. Reveal your truth of Jesus in each heart and please teach us to love the way you love. Teach us your ways.