“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying ‘Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3
Dear Ones:
Where does one begin when seeking to understand the great issues of life, death, sorrow, joy, purpose? One can choose the normal, and most used route, that which has its origin in man. But to do so, understanding the nature and history of man, we turn in an ever-widening circle of the same thing, for there is nothing truly new under the sun. When the Apostle Paul wrote, “…there is none that does good, no not one,” (Rom. 3:12), why then would we seek to understand “life,” basing all on the character and nature of man, who is incapable of doing good, from God’s standpoint? There is another “door,” or “gate.” It is narrow and very small compared with the numerous philosophies in the world. It is a Person, who has declared Himself to BE the way. This “way” is more than a direction. It is the answer to every question, the solution to every need, and the very essence of life, for He IS life. The Psalmist wrote: “…all my springs are in Thee.” (Ps. 87:7) So then, if we turn away from the “thoughts and ways of men,” and look heavenward to see Christ as our way, what is the greatest revelation of His Person that He would have us grasp and live by? Jeremiah wrote: “I have loved thee with an ever-lasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Our point of reference is singular, and all encompassing. It IS the Love of God…the everlasting love of God which reveals itself by putting a thirst in our hearts for Him. The “thought of eternity” which God has put in our souls, and the quest, or thirst, for the answers to our existence, are bound up in this: “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
Let us take a look at a picture of such love, with the backdrop of human degredation, and rejection of God. Jeremiah describes the spiritual condition of Israel during the seige of Jerusalem, just before the Chaldeans conquered the city, destroyed it in part, and took a good many of the people into exile: “And they (Israel) built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into My mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” (Jer. 32:35) Israel had come to the point where she was sacrificing her sons and daughters to the god, Molech. They were murdering their children, thinking it was an accepted sacrifice to this heathen god. You would think that at this point, that the true and living God would just destroy Israel for such atrocities, and have nothing more to do with her. But that is not the case. It is in this dark hour that the Everlasting Love of God will be manifested, and declared. “Behold, I will gather them (Israel) out of all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them AGAIN unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely…I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them…I will rejoice over them to do them good.” (Jer. 32:37,39,41) What a difference in the point of reference, that of God opposed to man
Dear Father, open our eyes to see the Love of God, this ever-lasting love, which shall never pass away. And give us to understand that it is directed to us individually…it is SET upon us. May Thy loving-kindness ever draw us to Thyself, so that we run to Thee for every answer to life, every drink from Thee our Spring. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad