"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:8-10)
We serve an awesome God! We are blessed to have continuous communion with such a sovereign, omnipotent, and omniscient God. We are able to run into the open arms of the Father just as if He was our own daddy. Abba Father! He is so loving, compassionate, and patient. Time does not limit Him such as ourselves. He is always there, ready, at a moments notice, to listen to us day and night. No appointments needed. Instead, He longs to hear from us every moment of the day. He is so near to many, yet longing to know us all.
The God who created the complexities of the human body; the vast amounts of constellations, novas, and stars; the intricate and beautiful designs on a butterfly's wing; the glorious and majestic summer sunsets; time and its many dimensions; yet He is still able to know each of our individual lives in an intimate, personal way, just as if we were His very own children. No, He is not some distant celestial being hovering above the earth. Instead, He is with us. Immanuel. With us, waking up in the morning, eating with us, walking along side us. Our tears become His tears, our joy becomes His joy. He is with us always and everywhere, no matter what we are doing. While we yet sleep, He watches over us as does a mother when she peers into her baby's room to confirm her child's safety and security.
Just how much He loves us we cannot begin to fathom. Would you throw your only child into a den of lions? That’s how much He loved us. He gave us his own Son only to be savagely devoured by us. The all-knowing, all-seeing, almighty, ever-present God became a lowly, wretched being so that He could convey His message of love to us and save us from a life of self induced destruction. He bestowed upon us a gift. A free gift. He gave us His riches at His own expense. It was His only Son, His name is Jesus.
He is our protector, our fortress, and our refuge. In Him we seek comfort and security. Sometimes He seems distant, yet He is oh so very near. We might not speak to Him for days, yet daily He effortlessly protects us and within the secure confines of His arms holds us ever so closely to His chest. That’s how much He loves us. Human words simply cannot begin to comprehend or express this immeasurable and unfathomable love.
Why do we deserve this all encompassing love and compassion? Everyday we sin. We are dirty. We would stain the very whites of heaven if our earthly bodies could inherit it. We fight, we curse, we entertain impure thoughts, we become bitter, we hate, we cheat, and we despise. We are inherently evil. We are totally depraved. Yet He continuously overlooks our iniquities, and continues to loves us forevermore. Truly a mystery. Human intellect or reasoning cannot begin to understand this forgiving love. There is no other love equivalent to this. A love no man or woman can ever match or offer. So, why? Why do we deserve it? Simple answer. It is God. It is who He is. It is His nature to love us all at any cost. Now this is truly a loving God.
Praise His holy name. Give thanks to Him. Shout for joy. He is the embodiment of love. He is our grace. He is kind. He is our joy, peace, and hope. He is the one true God of all. He is an awesome God with whom we serve. Who else can we run to besides Him? With whom can we compare Him? There is no other. He is all sufficient. He is our all in all. God is good, He is great, He is perfect. Ultimately, He is all we need to sustain us. Life without Him is not life. Life with Him is life. He was here, is here, and will be here always. He is our warmth, our everlasting fire when life seems bitterly cold. He is our cool refreshing breeze when our life seems to be consumed by the very flames of hell. For He is the great “I am”. He is love. He is God.
Thank you Lord! We are blessed! Amen!
