There it is off in the distance…
It’s something we all need. It is a warm glow that lights your soul with hope. It is the fire of freedom; it is the knife-edge of truth. It is the love of God.
But it isn’t at a distance, friend. It was brought near by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13). When God sent His Son to the earth, He was sending His love to the earth (John 3:16). Jesus brought everything that is good—yea, everything that is God—near to each one of us. We can sense it, if we come to Him (Jeremiah 33:3)..
This love confronts us with hope, it stirs our souls with conviction, it melts away our barriers. It walks beside its brother—Truth.
And there are times when it seems so far away. It may seem distant in times of trouble, pestilence or uncertainty. But why is it at a distance, you say? Has it withdrawn from us; have we pushed it away in a moment of madness?
Paul speaks to this condition in Romans 8. He asks the question that echoes in our heart during times of spiritual loneliness,
“Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).
In other words, can these things stand as a barrier between us and Jesus Christ? Can they separate us from Him who first loved us? Can they block the way?
Paul gives us the answer “They cannot.” “No!”
In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Not even death itself, can remove the love of God from us. It remains. It watches, and it looks to the future when victorious love destroys death and sin for good. “O death, where is thy sting?” On That Day, it doesn’t exist anymore. It is broken. Forever.
“Lord surround us with the animating love of Your presence. Bear us along on the wind of your Spirit. Anchor us with the persistence of hope. Chasten us with Your divine wisdom, as we need it.
And nothing can push You away—except us. Forgive us when we have pushed you away. Repenting of our prideful hearts, we praise You that Your love came near us in Jesus. It isn’t far away tonight. It is surrounds us. It is You.”
Amen.
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