He Loves Me This Much - 4/26/08

2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

God led me awhile ago to blog about this topic during my devotions, but I fled from it like Jonah running from the fish-slapping people of Nineveh, as we saw in the Veggie Tales movie. I didn't really want to risk offending my earthly father, so I ignored it entirely; I pretended like God didn't remind me of what He's done in my life. How silly. Lucky for me, He's not really one to let us ignore things ...

Today with a thirst for God's word and His presence, I sat down with my Bible and some music to seek His face. The first song, "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall started playing. The line, "I once was fatherless..." started playing as I turned the page in 2 Corinthians and read the line "I will be your Father..."

This was the very subject I avoided a couple weeks ago so I wouldn't risk offending my earthly dad.

The fact is, this is my testimony. I didn't grow up with a father around, and God filled that role for me when I was very young. He has done great things for me and in me; He has made me who I am and given me the life I enjoy today. He has been my God, my Father, my Friend, my Teacher. What right do I have to rob my God of His glory?

I was weak for shamefully putting anything before God, whether it be my own fear or another person's feelings. If the early Christians worried about offending people with their message of hope, the church would never have spread to the rest of the world.

God has promised that He will be our Father, in more places than just this one scripture. Our earthly fathers are temporary. And as humans, we're all broken and flawed. What can our earthly father provide that God cannot? Absolutely nothing ... and God gives us so much more. Beginning with his sacrifice on our behalf; his unconditional love and forgiveness. He also offers us a relationship.

He wants to be the One we go to, our confidant, friend, father, guide. He freely gives His love, and at times that love manifests in discipline - like any caring father. But ultimately He is the only constant in our lives, the only one whose love will not fade or change. He is the only part of our lives that will never change from now through eternity. Who wouldn't want that?

When God first brought this blog to mind, I was reminded of a music video that was played years ago at a men's conference in Seattle that I went to. Unfortunately, it is a country song. There's nothing really wrong with that, it's just not the music I choose to listen to. However, the message is moving and summarizes exactly how much our heavenly Father loves us. Here it is for your viewing pleasure, "I Love You This Much" by Jimmy Wayne:



Thank you, Father, for your love and guidance. I apologize for my disobedience. I love you, you are my Father and my friend and have paid the greatest price for me.