GOD SPEAKS LOVE

We love him, because He first loved us.
I John 4:19

I'm always amazed as we approach Valentine's Day that even in most churches the subject of a loving God, God's loving us and our command to love others seems lacking. When I look at the above verse, I want to reword it: “Because He first loved us, we WILL love Him.” Perhaps the verse is saying just about that.

This morning playing the offertory, I included the chorus to the very familiar song, “Jesus Loves Me.” I really don't like that this sweet song has been relegated to just children. I find it to be one of the most sound theologically songs I have known along with many more. I just feel sad that it's ignored except for occasional use in the children's church.

Anna Bartlett Warner wrote the poem “Jesus Loves Me.” She was never was a published poet, but this poem was included in a book written by her sister. Somehow, William Bradbury came across the poem and really thought the poem needed a melody, thus he put music to the poem. All of this took place around the 1860's and aren't we glad it did. We've all heard our children and grandchildren sing the song. Most of us grew up singing this hymn. I feel sad that the rest of we adults never give attention to this precious hymn now that we are grown ups.

I wish for all of us that we would recognize that God always speaks love into our lives. Even during times when God allows things into our lives to teach us some difficult lessons, He is speaking love. For those of us who have been parents we know what it means to discipline our children and have done it out of our love for them. I'm afraid we only look for “Yes, Jesus loves me” when all is going well.

God speaks love to us in so many ways. You can easily add to my list, but thought of several things I don't ponder often enough. God speaks love in raindrops and snowflakes, butterflies and chirping birds, a baby's giggle and a puppy's warm nose, rainbows and spring flowers, a parent's hug and friend's smile, church choir or children's choir, smell of newly mown grass or aroma of fried chicken, a rain drop and tear drop, a sunbeam or twinkling star....and on and on it goes. If we honestly believe God is in charge of everything in our lives, just through His creation He reveals His love in the creation of human beings or things of nature.

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

Do I believe just that one verse of that precious song. Do I fully know and acknowledge the fact that God loves me.? I don't know I think about it very often, but just take it for granted. I'm not going to know much about His love if I'm not in His Word on a regular basis. It's not just little ones who belong to Him and they aren't the only weak ones either. We all are weak and rely on God's strength.

YES, Jesus loves me,
YES, Jesus loves me,
YES, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

When the Bible says it, we must believe it and accept it with great humility and gratitude. If we feel there isn't another person in the world who loves us (and I wouldn't believe that for anything), we can KNOW that Jesus loved us because of His sacrifice on the cross for each of us. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

Behold, what manner of love the father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should
be called the sons of God: therefore
the world knoweth us not, because it
knew Him not.
I John 3:1

Dear Father, Thank You for Your love that is so consistent even when I know I disappoint You. I rest in the fact of Your love, a love that will never let me down. You are such a wonderful Father and I praise You today. In Jesus' precious name....Amen