“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever” - Psalm 136:26 (NIV).
In his best book selling book, “The 5 Love languages” the renowned counselor, Gary Chapman, shares the story of Ashley, a 13 year old girl who rebelled and got into all sorts of trouble. She then entered into a devastating relationship. Explaining her circumstances, she shared how she was hurt by her parents’ divorce: “I felt my father left because he didn’t love me…when my mother remarried. I thought she now had someone to love her, but I still had no one to love me. I wanted so much to be loved…I met this boy at school…He was kind to me and in a while I really felt he loved me.” It’s an old trap: a lonely soul searching for love, only to fall into the hands of a prey, as it were.
Chapman noted that Ashely’s love tank had been empty for years and hence the search to have it filled from anywhere and regardless. Within every human being God has placed that tank seeking to be filled with a well of love. Babies cry for it. Children are desperate for it. Adults search for it. When adults fail to find it in one place as they have the means they seek it in all sorts of alternative avenues. This could range from running from one relationship to another to being lost in all manner of addictions as a solace. Actually lots of adults with means just decide to “buy love!”
If we are longing for love, as is only natural, then there is a place where we dint have to cash in for a return. It is a comfort to know that God has shared with us His at no cost. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
Where we are unable to find it in those around us, or in any place, the love of God, is there for sure: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, thank you so much for the love that you have for me as your child, for I know I am blessed, and have a loving Father into whose arms I can always run to.
