God Wrote the Book of Love
Bible Reading: Exodus 34:5-7
I am the Lord, the merciful and gracious God. L am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6
Brent looked sadly at his skateboard, destroyed by the most eye-popping trick he had ever pulled. The wooden deck had split in two, and the wheels themselves had launched into space. “It’s okay,” Brent sighed. “I’ll get a new board tonight.”
Brent’s buddy was amazed. “Tonight? You had a custom deck. And you saved for months to buy those wheels. How are you ever going to get a new board by tonight?” he asked.
“The Skateboard Fairy, of course,” Brent said matter-of-factly. “You know, whenever you break a board, you put the broken pieces under your bed and the Skateboard Fairy slips you a new one while you sleep.”
Perhaps you’re too old to believe in the Skateboard Fairy. But when it comes to God, you might have expectations that are just as wild.
Talk about it: In what spectacular way would you like God to make clear his love for you? By giving you a perfect grade on a test? Making sure you never have to walk in the rain? Making you a front-runner for Miss America or Mr. Universe?
Those could be cool ways to be reassured of God’s love. But the fact is, we don’t need anything spectacular. We can see his love in the food and other good things he’s provided for us. We can spot his love coming through the people he’s put all around us. But in case we’re still unsure of his love, he’s made it clear in his Word.
In the Bible hundreds of verses tell you about God’s affection for you. Listen to these words about how your loving God showed himself in the Old Testament: “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him” (Psalm 32:10, NIV). “Your love, 0 Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” (Psalm 36:5, NIV). “The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop” (Lamentations 3:22, NCV). “I am constantly aware of your unfailing love” (Psalm 26:3).
And according to Jesus, love is the Bible’s big message. He said, ‘”You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
God is all about love. The Bible makes that clear. And we are at the center of his loving heart.
TALK: Which of those messages in God’s Word makes you most sure of his love for you?
PRAY: Thank God for shouting his love for you through the Bible.
ACT: Memorize any one of those encouraging verses about God’s great love for you.