October 17, 2017
""I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness."" (Jeremiah 31:3)
God is not speaking to everyone in this verse, but to His people He had chosen, the Israelites. These were the people who loved Him. But they were also the ones who were continually rebelling, continually forgetting, continually walking away.
And yet, time after time, God brought them back to Himself, restored them, and blessed them. Like a human family, there is love and rebellion in the mix on the human side, but—different from a human family—there is nothing but perfection from the Father.
EVERLASTING LOVE
The adjective is all important. It is not ""sometimes-lasting love"" or ""occasional love."" It is EVER-lasting. There is no beginning nor end. It is there every morning when we rise and evening when we lie down. In fact, He never slumbers or sleeps in His love, providing watchful care through our rest.
Sometimes His love is expressed in hard discipline when His people need training, just like a strong father with his children. But it is always driven by love. Sometimes His sovereign understanding causes and allows things we do not understand, but it is always undergirded by His everlasting passion for His children.
DRAWN BY LOVINGKINDNESS
The word ""drawn"" in the original language means ""caused to move."" God has pulled us to Himself. But notice this instrument of his action. He has drawn us with ""lovingkindness."" Again, it may not feel at times that this is so, but it is lovingkindness nonetheless.
God is not only loving, he is kind. Think of this. Imagine the kindness person you know, then magnify it by millions, for He is perfect in His kindness. And then, meditate on this if you are one of His children: He has loved you with an everlasting love and drawn you with His perfect lovingkindness!
And, then, give Him thanks … for the rest of your life and beyond!
January 20, 2025
Look back over your life with eyes of faith as much as you can, and realize the magnitude of what God has done for you, the comprehensiveness of His work in and through you … and give Him thanks.
And then rise up and walk in humility today before your God.
January 17, 2025
The one who does what invites the presence of God into the situation has the ultimate reward.
January 16, 2025
Everything in your life and your future depends upon where you place the Lord. Notice the Psalmist David indicateD it is our deliberate choice and no one else’s. No one can do this for you. “I have SET … I PLACE the Lord in front of me.”
