O love that will not let me go

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  — 1 John 4:11

Love is the centerpiece of thriving reltionships. Scripture makes it clear that we need to be people who love — love God with all our hearts, love our neighbor as ourselves, and love our enemies. But it's hard to love when we don’t feel loved. Neglected children, spouses who feel ignored by their mates, and parents who are alienated from their children all know the heartaches of a life that lacks love.

So, for everyone who longs to be loved, welcome to the pleasure of knowing that you are richly loved by God. Think of the profound impact of His love that was poured for you at the cross. Meditate on the fact that if you've trusted  in Him, His love covers your faults and failures and that you are clothed with His spotless righteousness (Rom. 3-22-24). Revel in the fact that nothing can separate you from His love (8:39). Embrace His loving provisions of a future secured for you where you will be eternally loved (John  3:16).

When John tells us that we “ought to love one another,” he calls us the “beloved” (1 John 4:11 see also 3:1-2) . Once you embrace how wonderfully loved you are by God, it will be much easier to be the loving person God calls you to be — even toward those who don't show you love.                                                                                   — Joe Stowell

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

                                                  — Watts

READ: Joshua 16-18

Embracing God's love for us

is the key to loving others.

The Bible in one year:

• Joshua 16-18; Luke 2:1-24