God’s passionate pursuit of humanity is such a profound demonstration of love that it is rather elusive in our limited mind. You see, God’s gift of love is not like ours—because He IS love. He is not like us. He is the absolute personification of selflessness. His passion is not like ours.
Our passion is to satisfy ourselves; while God’s passion is to satisfy us by reconciliation to Himself: He is the ONLY source of complete satisfaction.
Most of us have been hijacked by our passion and thus, are living a backwards, self-defeating life. You see, we want to worship a god who is like us and does things our way—but then—we really don’t. We desire supernatural love; but we don’t really want the God who can give it to us. Look around. Nearly the entire human race exists in a world of sorrow and pain as a result of individually and collectively running from God. We tell God to leave us alone so we can do as we please; and then we complain when He grants our request, withdraws His goodness, and leaves us to fend for ourselves.
But God—He loves us so much—that He chases us down with His goodness…
The Book of Hosea illustrates this so poignantly. The Israelites cyclically abandoned God for the lesser gods of their enemies. God compares Himself to a loving Husband who lavishes His bride with everything she could want. And what does the bride do? She uses her Husband’s gifts to pursue other men until she is used, abused, destitute, and ultimately sells herself into slavery. Then God makes this remarkable statement regarding His unfaithful, broken bride:
“I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.”
Hosea 2:14
Can you imagine giving your spouse everything, watching them use it on other lovers, and then—working as hard as you can to draw them back into your arms?
That’s how God loves us and that’s why—I don’t think we will ever completely comprehend it.
God is the personification of love. (1 John 4:8) When we accept His gift of salvation, we enter into an unbreakable relationship with Him. When we daily surrender to Him, we discover the greatest love of our lifetime. (Hosea 2:16). We no longer desire the lesser loves who enslaved us. (2:17) God blesses us with all the satisfaction and safety of His true love. (2:18) He promises:
“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”
Hosea 2:19-20 NKJV
My friend, if your love of wealth, possessions, sex, position, or relationships, has left you destitute, broken, and enslaved—turn around and—run back into the arms of Jesus. He is so worth it! I know this so well—this is my story. In His presence, you will find the sweetest, purest love.
God’s love is a gift beyond amazing.
“He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the WIDTH and LENGTH and DEPTH and HEIGHT— to know the LOVE of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19 NKJV
In HIM we find EVERYTHING our heart desires!
The greatest gift you will ever unwrap is God’s loving gift of salvation; you are completely loved by Him.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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One Response
There is no love like God’s love.