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Devotional for May 9, 2020

Love is a Verb

 "May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance." (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV)

We have often heard it said, and it has often been repeated here, that God is love. However, the definition of love itself is highly general, and, in fact, when used only as a simple word, or a noun, can be subjective. As it happens, however, and especially with God, love is not simply a noun: love is a verb.

 When the Bible, and we, say "God is love," we are not simply saying that God is the definition of a noun. God's very being is love, and His love is expressed through His actions. That is how we see that love is a verb: that God defines love through demonstrating His love. He has created us and given us life. He continues to sustain us from day to day. He reaches out to us and intervenes in our lives in small, yet often out-of-the-ordinary ways. He continues to preserve us, not only by giving us the energy to keep going from day to day, but by assuring us of His presence and love each day. He helps us to persevere, that is, to keep going, even though life may become difficult or challenging, and even cause us to doubt Him at times. Most of all, He sent His Son to die on the cross and rise again, to give us the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Jesus Himself said that there is no greater than love than if someone should give their lives for their friends, and since Jesus gave His life for us, we know we are His beloved friends. (John 15:13-14) We are friends of God, and because we are His friends, He not only is love for us, but He loves us actively, and loves us in visible and concrete ways. He loves perfectly, not expecting anything from us in return, and loves us unconditionally, simply giving His love for the sake of wanting to love us.

 So each day, we pray for God to keep directing us into His love, meaning, to recognize and give thanks for all the ways He actively shows He loves us. We also pray that His love would help us to keep persevering - to keep going even despite difficulties and hardships, especially as the pandemic continues to cause some challenge. We thank Him for His loving us, and His loving actions, as He loves us regardless of any and all other circumstances. With God, He is not simply the definition of love - He loves. He loves us, and that is what keeps us going from day to day.

 Dear God, thank you that you always love me, you always have, and you always will. Thank you for all the ways you show your love for me each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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