1 John 4:8-9
‘ God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him
’DAILY READING – • 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Kings 22:1-23:35; Nahum 3
Today being February 14th, many people across the globe celebrate it as a day of love. But the truth remains that, no matter how sincere human love may be, it will never be perfect. There is only one love that is forever perfect and genuine, and that is the love God has for us.
In June 2010, several News outlets carried the story of a 43-year-old Spanish woman named Huang, who faked her own kidnapping, just to test if her husband still loved her.
The woman who had suddenly disappeared on June 22nd, had her family worried sick as repeated phone calls to her smartphone were left unanswered. Later her husband had been sent a photo on his mobile phone showing his wife bound hands and feet. A separate text message also demanded 20,000 euros for her release as well as a warning not to go to the police. But her husband ignored the warning and made an emergency call to the police. The local police station took immediate action after the emergency call. A rescue team was set up with a total of 29 officers working on the case. Various police officers scanned different areas and did house-to-house investigations.
Unable to find her, the ransom money was then dropped off, with a tracking device placed with the money. The police later tracked the money to a car, which they followed to a shopping mall in the town of Gandia, on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. There they finally discovered the true identity of the “abductor” to be Huang herself. When confronted she confessed that she had staged the abduction ‘to find out what her husband would be willing to do for her’. Huang later stated that, although she was happy with her marriage of ten years to her husband and their family of two daughters, she just wanted to “test” how much her husband loved her, and if he would pay the £20,000 ransom for her rescue.
Although this woman had a happy home she was still uncertain of her husband’s love. Though staging her own kidnapping was an extreme way of testing if she is loved, her uncertainty however mirrors the general state of the human heart. Many people are unsure they are truly loved. Living in a world full of uncertainty, human love, no matter how sincere, will always be imperfect, and leave room for doubt. Only God’s love remain ever perfect and steadfast.
1 John 4:8-9 says ‘ God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him’
God is love. You cannot truly talk of love outside of God. Love is not a feeling, love is a person. And you cannot truly know love without knowing God.
God’s love for us is beyond all human measurement. Ephesians 3:19 tells us that the love of Christ, ‘passeth knowledge”. He loves us unconditionally. We cannot even understand why He loves us in the first place, but we know He does! So if you are wondering if anyone loves you, know for sure today, that you are loved by God. As a child of God, you are especially chosen by God to be part of His family.
It says in 1 Peter 2:9, “You have been chosen by God Himself.”
That means to God you are special. You weren’t randomly chosen. God, on purpose, looked at you and said, “I choose you, to be My son, to be My daughter.”
So no matter your situation, always remember, you are handpicked by God — valuable, lovable, with something great to offer. And whatever you may have gone through in the past, God loves you unconditionally. People may reject you, but God accepts you. He’s already chosen you, and He’s the One that matters most.
When you understand how much God loves you and that He has a great plan for your life, there is no outside circumstance that can change your inner confidence. Don’t allow what somebody did or didn’t do cause you to lose confidence in God’s love for you. Don’t ever allow any situation cause you to go through life feeling not good enough. No, realize that you’re a child of the Most High God. Your value doesn’t come from people or accomplishments; it comes from your Creator. Put your shoulders back. Hold your head up high. Live with confidence. Know that God loves you. And His love is what matters most. And as the world celebrates love today, know that you are truly loved by the one who is the greatest.
So most importantly let today be a day of thanksgiving to God for the amazing love He has for you, a love that made Him to pay the ultimate price at Calvary for your redemption.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always know that I am greatly loved by You. Thank You today for loving me unconditionally. I am truly grateful for your love for me.
QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]