For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
God’s love remains stable, firm and constant in all conditions through all circumstances for all times – however our lives may change. We may change, but He never changes – never moving from His mark of indescribable holiness, purity, sinlessness and perfection. God does not change and His love is continual. “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” He tells us in Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV). And He is fullness in His every portion as well. We can have as much of “the water from the well that never runs dry” as we desire. We are foolish when we neglect His gracious offer of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law, Scripture tells us. With Him we can abound in lack or in plenty because He is our good portion and with Him is contentment and satisfaction of heart. Apart from Him, nothing fully satisfies the soul. Yet, “He opens His hand to satisfy the desires of every living thing”, Psalm 145:16 (NIV) tells us. What an amazingly great God we serve!
God’s love is not stingy nor is He whimsical or capricious. He changes not and His love and compassion towards us never fails – even or especially when we stumble or fall. He realizes we are all but dust and His Holy Heart weeps when we turn and run from Him Who is our Surety and Safety. When we depend upon flesh - going our own way – it is never a pretty sight. He knows the surety of the consequences of following our own flesh. It gets us nowhere fast. If we play out our actions - all the way to the end - in our minds before we embrace the wrong path - and the ensuing consequences that are sure to follow, it will help keep us keep to the right way. Wisdom is proved right by her actions and all will one day become pristinely clear.
All of us who are parents know the pain when a child chooses to wander from their best path – it breaks our hearts – so much more God’s. Twigs will bend to any form. And He beckons us to come – all of us – in whatever state we are in, He loves and knows us fully and completely. Nothing is hidden from His sight – all is laid bare before Him and He loves us still. It is only in turning to Him that our scrawny necks are saved and our lives begin to make sense. Just as we cannot create ourselves neither can we save ourselves – no matter how hard we may try. We will always come up wanting. And the Way calls out to us “Come, I will show you how to live” – a life that brings Him much glory and us much good.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)