Jeremiah 31:3 - Comprehending the Love of God.
Jeremiah 31:3 - Comprehending the Love of God.
Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with
loving-kindness."
INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS
Though most of Jeremiah is bad news, chapters 30 to 33 are good
news. These chapters have been called the "Book of Consolation" or the
"Little Book of Comfort" because of their message of hope. [Youth SB]
There's Nothing Like Love
Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his
parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the
counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister,
spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands,
mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury
trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.
He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it
was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put
it all into the oven or on the stove (and he didn't know how the
stove worked).
Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and
reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor.
Frantically he tried to cleanup this monumental mess but slipped on the
eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad
standing at the door.
Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd
wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was
sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father
just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his
crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and
sticky in the process.
That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in
life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we
insult a friend or we can't stand our job or our health goes sour.
Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything
else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us,
even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to
make pancakes, for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it
right, and then they'll be glad we tried... (source unknown - received
from Ashley)
COMMENTARY
"How little real love there is for God," says theologian
Arthur W. Pink. He suggests that the low level of spirituality in
today's church is caused by our hearts being so little occupied with
thoughts of the divine love. "The better we are acquainted with His
love--its character, its fullness, its blessedness," he says, "the more
will our hearts be drawn out in love to Him."
We focus now on the fact that God's love is eternal.
God being eternal, it follows that His love also is eternal.
This means that God loved us before earth and heaven were called into
existence, that He has set His heart upon us from all eternity. This is the
truth set forth in Ephesians 1:4-5, where we are told that we were
chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. What a
tranquilizer this is for our hearts! If God's love for us had no beginning,
then it has no ending either. It is from "everlasting to
everlasting."
Another thing we need to know about the love of God is that
it is a holy love. This means that His love is not regulated by
whim or caprice or sentiment, but by principle. Just as His grace
reigns not at the expense of righteousness but "through" it (Rm 5:21),
so His love never conflicts with His holiness. This is why John
says that God is "light" before he says God is "love." And this is
why, too, the Almighty never lets us get away with anything. He loves
us too much for that. His love is pure, holy, and unmixed with
excessive sentimentality. God will not wink at sin, not even in His own
people.
O Father, the more I learn about Your love, the more my heart
is set on fire. Increase my understanding, for I see that the more
I comprehend how much I am loved, the more secure I am in that
love. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes
devotional]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. You need
vast quantities of these blessings, and I delight in providing them
for you. Your job is to open your heart fully to Me, acknowledging -
to yourself and to Me - how needy you are. Many people are afraid
to face their neediness because they doubt that anyone could ever
provide all that they lack. Humanly speaking, this is true. But I have
infinite reservoirs of blessings for My children. Moreover, My
lovingkindness is an eternal gift, for I have loved you with an everlasting
Love. I am committed to you!
All of My children need mercy - compassionate treatment - and
you are no exception. I offer you multiple mercies, and I do this
tenderly. So come to Me when you are feeling weak and vulnerable. Pour out
your heart to Me, and rest in My Presence. Remember that you are
redeemed royalty, purchased with My own blood. Hold still - with dignity
and confidence - while I crown you with lovingkindness and tender
mercies. (Psa. 103:1-4; Jer. 31:3; Psa. 62:8) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20101019-1917.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040930-0744.html
CURRENTLY LIVE BIBLE STUDY SERIES BY PASTOR JOHN BRADSHAW
Revelation Today - The Mysteries Revealed:
https://www.revelationtoday.com/
RECENT BIBLE STUDY SERIES BY PASTOR DOUG BATCHELOR
Heroes of Faith - Stories of Salvation:
http://www.theheroesoffaith.com/
