To Know God is to Love Him!

I was born in the bobbie socks era. My brother was 13 years old and I had many cousins who were teenagers. Because I followed them around every chance I got, I listened to their music. One song that keeps coming to mind this morning is “To Know Him is to Love Him” which was the number one hit single in 1958.

Such a soothing song and I can still see the girls with poodle skirts or rolled up jeans swaying to the lilt of the tune. It’s always good to reminisce about how special love is, especially young love. And to know that the object of our affection is so perfect and so worthy of our love makes those old songs even more meaningful.

Did you know that to know the Lord is to love Him? If you spend a lot of time with Him and you read about Him in the Word, you will find it so true. Every single attribute He has is founded in His love. Every single thought He has about us is pure love.  Every plan He has for our loves is planned with perfect love.

Unlike human love, which can wax and wane depending on the feelings of the one who loves or the recipient of that love, God’s love is independent of our worthiness, perfections or abilities. We may be an awesome person, but that’s not why God loves us.  We may have lots of problems, but not one of them causes God to denounce His love for us.

Oh beloved, run to the shelter of His loving arms this morning and read of His unending devotion!  He speaks to you and calls you out of your own darkness into His own Light, so that you don’t just survive, but you will flourish under His guardian care. He says to you this morning, I know you completely and I love you eternally. Before the foundation of the world, before there was a sky or a planet or a star in orbit, I loved you. I have a perfect plan for your life. Won’t you get to know Me better by spending more time with Me? I AM perfect love, I AM your perfect Savior, I AM the way, the truth and the life. By letting Me love you, you will find complete trust and adoration. Together we will conquer your fears, overcome your sins, go beyond your feelings and live in eternity forever. 

God loves you without any conditions and He’s for you through it all, and that’s all you will ever really need. 

Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

Jude 1:1 …I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:64 O Lord, Your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me Your decrees.

Psalm 9:10 Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.

When Our Fears Meet King Fearless Everything Changes

 

The Wizard of Oz had some very interesting characters. My favorite was the lion. He was a very unusual lion in that he lacked courage. I’ve had dreams over the years about lions. In every dream they were ferocious and fearless. I’ve watched lots of shows about lions and never once have I seen a lion backing down from about anything. Movies depict them as a intrepid foe and a crafty stalker.

But here we have a cowardly lion. He jumps at his own shadow. He hates to face obstacles. He is reticent and reclusive. He needs lots of help from friends and lots of encouragement as well. When faced with a problem he starts whining instead of roaring! You have to feel so sorry for the creature.  His kind is considered “king of the jungle” and yet this lion felt like anything but a king!

In his desire to be more than he is, to get rid of his cowardice, he follows along with a group to the Land of Oz. He’s not sure, but he’s hoping that what he’s heard about this magnificent place will help him.  All along the way the lion and the other characters meet up with obstacles, terrors, dangers and enemies.   He is so full of his own fears that he doesn’t even realize that he is overcoming obstacles and facing uncertainties all along the way.

I understand the lion.  He’s supposed to be one thing, but he keeps seeing himself as much less than he is. He’s afraid and unsure of himself. Even though the nature books tell all about lions and their courage and fierceness, he has neither.  Maybe you can relate.  Are you lacking courage? Are you having a hard time facing things that come into your life? Maybe it’s rejection, unforgiveness,  unresolved relationships or the uncertainties of life itself. Our world is full of dangers and dread. As the movie line goes, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Oh beloved, it’s time to run to the reassurance of the King of Kings! Everything we lack – absolutely everything – He is! Everything we fear – He conquers! Everything we’re weak in – He’s Courageous!  Maybe you don’t know it yet, but you are an overcomer, you are victorious, and everything, every single thing you need for life and godliness is found in Him! If you will let yourself trust Him, He will take you beyond your own mortal weaknesses and set you apart for Himself! He will make your way secure, your sight full of faith and your life full of His glory. For He loves you and He’s able to save you not only from the penalty of sin, but from yourself! The God of the Universe is Fearless and Able to make all grace abound to you – so that in all things you will have the courage and fortitude of a child of the Most High God. Look back and see – you have come a long way and He has taken every step with you! Look forward and see – He will go ahead of you to get you where you need to be. Look up, for He is your Redemption and Your Place of Safety. He loves you, oh beloved, and He’s for you, His child, and that is all that really matters!

I Peter 5:7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (AMP)

Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.