Meditation
AND I HAVE LOVED YOU
Text: Isaiah 43
2 November 2014
HUMAN EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
It is normal for parents to tell their children that they are dearly loved. Sadly words of love are not used frequently enough. Thus some children feel unwanted and unloved.
GOD’S EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
The Lord, like the wonderful Father He is, never failed to tell His beloved children that He loved them. The following text is one example of how He expressed His love for them.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…
Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honoured,
And I have loved you… Isaiah 43:3-4
1. God’s relationship with His people
Three aspects were highlighted:-
a) He was the LORD their God
b) He was the Holy One of Israel
c) He was their Saviour
2. Significance of these statements
Three things may be highlighted too:-
a) God regarded His people as “precious”
b) He had gone out of His way to honour them
c) He declared out loud that He loved them!
THE RE-DISCOVERY OF GOD’S LOVE
The children of Israel however had failed miserably to appreciate the love of the Lord their God. Instead of being good and grateful children, they forsook the Lord and turned to idolatry instead, to their grievous shame.
God nevertheless sought to redeem the children of Israel from the degradation of their sinful ways. He spared no effort to tell them that He still loved them with an everlasting love. Prophet after prophet was sent to help erring Israel to repent from their sinful ways. God would redeem them if they were to return to Him in humble faith.
AN EVERLASTING LOVE
This is the theme that we have chosen for Christmas this year. The new series of Pulpit messages will attempt to highlight the glorious nature of God’s kind of love. The Christmas Concert will also feature this theme.
SHARING OUR FAITH IN A LOVING GOD
Let us be deeply moved to share our faith in a great and loving God. There are many who have not heard the message of the Gospel. Let us do our utmost to help people consider faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!