The Bible is filled with statements of God's everlasting love for us. The most popular one is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." If that alone isn't proof of His love for us, after all, He gave His innocent and perfect Son, Jesus, over to die a brutal death on a cross to pay for our sins, and to make it possible that we, through faith in Him, can share eternity with Him, then I don't know what is. True love. To us, who don't deserve it.
What should be our response? We love Him because He first loved us, of course. How can we show our love to Him?
There is an excellent book called "Practicing His Presence" by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach. The pages encourage us to seek the LORD's presence throughout our days, and shares the testimonies of these two authors on how they were able to do it. It is truly an inspiration to those who want to know the LORD in a much deeper way than they do.
Here is a quote from the last chapter that is worth sharing. In essence, it reveals the true purpose of this book, and the results of disciplining oneself to seek the LORD.
Let all your employment be to know God. The more you actually know Him, the more you will desire to know Him. Since knowledge is a measurement of love, the deeper and more intimate you are with Him, the greater will be your love for Him. And if our love for the LORD is great, then we will love Him as much during grief as in joy.
I am sure you know that most people's love for the LORD stops at a very shallow stage. Most love God for the tangible things He gives them. They love Him because of His favor to them. You must not stop on such a level, no matter how rich His mercies have been to you. Many outward blessings can never bring you as close to God as can one simple act of faith.
So seek Him often by faith.
Oh, dear friend, the LORD is not outside of you, pouring down favors. The LORD is within you. Seek Him there, within... and no where else.
Let the LORD be the one , the only love of your life. If we do love Him alone, are we not rude if we busy ourselves with trifles, trifles that do not please Him and some which may even offend Him? Be wise and fear such trifles. They will one day cost us dearly.
Dear friend, would you now begin, today, to be devoted to the LORD, in earnest? Cast everything else out of your heart. He would posses it alone. Beg of Him that favor.
Do what you can, and soon you will see that change wrought in you which you are seeking.
Relationships don't thrive on neglect. They flourish because of intentional efforts to keep the fire of passion burning. How passionate are you to the One who has loved you the most?
