Love, Love Me, Do

“For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom. Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honoured, and I love you.”

Isaiah 43:3-4 (NLT)

You know what it’s like to have a crush on someone? You look forward to seeing them again, and you might dress a bit nicer for that next meeting – but when you finally do see them, you forget what you were going to say because they seem so incredible.

Well guess what. Our heavenly Father wants us to have that same expectation for Him. God wants us to desire our next meeting with Him, and unlike flippant crushes, He longs to tell you how beautiful you are and He wants to woo you with the awesome things he does each day.

Look at what God is saying, “I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom.” God loves you so much that he would give entire countries just to protect and save you. Face it, how many of your crushes can do that? How many would even try? And God’s amazing love for us does not stop there.

Perhaps you know someone who has hurt you deeply. It may be only by God’s grace that you have forgiven them, and see them as His children. But imagine loving that person so much that you are willing to give your son’s life in place of theirs. It’s unlikely, but that’s exactly what God has done for us. The Israelites broke their covenant with Him, and people have since failed Him again and again. Yet He gave His son out of His love for them and for you.

Some of us still don’t get it. We put in time at church, read the Bible occasionally, and pray a few words as we’re drifting off to sleep. But our sinful lives-on-the-side in no way reciprocates love to our Father. If I tell you I love you, but never hang out with you, don’t do anything you ask, and only talk to you when I want or need something, are you going to be convinced of my love? Probably not.

Some of us are more consistent in watching a favourite TV show than in having times with God. When we see things come in the way of our love for God, we need to repent – turn away, change – and ask forgiveness. But we can’t stop there. If we dig into the Word, we can dig into God. He wants our obedience out of love, not duty.

Prayer

Father, I admit that I’m not always very disciplined in spending time with you. Please help me to dig into the Bible more often and in a deeper way, that I might know you more.

Amen

Study by Fraser Murdoch