“He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” – Psalm 18:19
Scripture reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Have you talked with a father or husband whose child or wife is going through a hard time? They are usually upset too. When we love someone, our feelings are affected by what the person we love is feeling. If they are happy, we are happy. God does this too.
Before creation, God was perfectly happy without humans. He would still have been happy had he destroyed humans after they sinned. Yet, when He chose to love individual sinners, He tied His happiness with theirs. You will find many times in the Bible when God calls Himself “the Father” or “Husband.” These words show us His loving relationship with His people. God’s happiness will be complete when His children, His bride, the church, are safely home living with Him. God saves people not only for His own glory, but also for His gladness.
God made the benefits of His love (salvation) something we can have and enjoy. Sinners can receive salvation from punishment for their sins by believing in Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit who regularly makes them more like Christ. Christians who receive this love have great joy. They are saved from death! They are in relationship with the Loving God! They often sing. Can you name a song that you enjoy singing about God’s love?
While our feelings may fade after the music ends, God’s love is unchanging. He is in a covenant relationship with His people. Believer, abide with your loving Father and Husband.
Suggestions for prayer
Sing one of the songs you named earlier as your prayer. If you never have, pray for Jesus to save you from your sins and ask to receive the Holy Spirit. Thank God for His love.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com