And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
1 John 4:16 (NIV)
Relying on God’s Love
Canadians were recently asked why they love their country. Some of the answers were, “People are so generous. People are peace loving! Everyone is very nice. People get together to help when someone is in need. We discovered insulin for diabetic people. We created the best meal: the poutine. Bacon. Our tasty maple syrup. Our chips are Old Dutch. Our chocolate, Smarties. The delicious beaver tails. The snow in the winter and the great sun in the summer. The various colours from each season.”
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All of us count on the love of others to get through this life with joy and victory. We are not created to live in isolation from others, and we are blessed to have those around us who care for us. And there is good news for all of us, those of us who are surrounded by many who love us and those who might not have many like that. Listen carefully to the promise in 1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” The one who wrote these words, the apostle John, was the same person who wrote the Gospel of John. And in his Gospel, John continually refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” We know that Jesus loved each of His disciples, but as the youngest of the disciples, John was particularly impacted by Jesus’ love for him. Over and over John had experienced the love of Jesus. And so can you. As you place your trust in Him daily, you will discover that you too become “the disciple that Jesus loves.” You can rely on Him in all things because you can rely on His love.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley