"Always Loved"

 

“Always Loved”

 

About two years ago Karen got a text from a friend on the morning of the couple’s anniversary. The wife had had a busy and difficult week and forgot the date until “the” day. The following exchange ensued:

Wife: “Do you still love me?”

Husband: “Very much.”

Wife: “But you really don’t like me very much right now, do you?”

Husband: “I haven’t liked you all week!”

While on this occasion our friends got on each other’s nerves (don’t we all at times?) they’re still happily married and serving the Lord. Sadly such isn’t always the case. During my pastoral days I occasionally heard from a husband or wife that their spouse had recently told them, “I just don’t love you anymore!” Talk about being shocked and devastated! Sometimes both are willing to go for marriage counseling and the relationship has been restored as each has been willing to change. But there were cases in which minds had been made up and the marriage all but doomed before others were aware of any problem. But even then we mustn’t forget Jesus’ words: “With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26, emphasis added).

While human love is prone to failure God never stops loving us, even in our sin and shortcomings. In the time of Judah’s rebellion and resulting captivity God said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness,” (Jeremiah 31:3, emphasis added). So God’s love for His people is based on His character, not their (or our) actions. About 430 years before David had sinned grievously against God by his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. But once God’s prophet Nathan confronted him he confessed his sin and though there were heart-wrenching consequences he was forgiven and his relationship with God restored (see 2 Samuel 11 and 12 as well as Psalm 51). And God even referred to him as “…a man after my own heart….” (Acts 13:22). What unconditional love!

Paul assures us that “…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39, NLT, emphasis added). So God signs His messages to us, “Love always!” Bask in and thank Him for it today and every day.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan