He loved first
“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
This is one of the first verses I learned as a small child. Of course, I couldn’t begin to understand it. Since then, my understanding has been opened some and I’d like to share that with you. I will start by reversing the two thoughts so I can focus on the “He loved me” part first. He loved me first, that’s why I love Him. Here’s the thing . . . God made creation (heaven and earth), then He made people. As beautiful as all of creation was, He didn’t “love” it. Even though creation came out of the heart of God the only part of it that He loves is people. It is a connection that could only be experienced with someone created in His own image. He loved people from the very beginning. They are His greatest creation. Every time He looks at one of us, He remembers the love He had when He first created people and that continues to flow down through the generations until it reaches to me and you.
That is why He made a way for us to get back to Him after the first people (Adam and Eve) became separated from Him. He wanted to get us all back but couldn’t just rush in and take us because He created us to be free. It had to be our choice, otherwise He would be taking many prisoners.
The first part of the verse says, “We love Him”. It really seems to fall short. Yes, we love Him, but do we really know what it means and how to let Him know? Of course, when we accept Jesus and give our life to Him, we make ourselves available to connect heaven to earth in our prayers. However, do we really love, worship and adore Him? Do we spend time pressing in and letting Him know He is the most important part of our lives? Do we give Him a special place in each day? Are we willing to surrender every area of our heart completely to give Him top priority? Because He is God and we are not, our love will always pale compared to His, but we still have the ability to love Him with everything within us. That’s where we need to start!
Today I want to encourage you to meditate on the thought of “Do I really love God?” Then continue by asking the question, “How do I show Him I love Him?” Then after a brief examination of your heart toward God, just start by telling Him. “I love you, my Father in heaven, because you loved me first with such a great and wonderful love! You are such a good God and Father!” Today, allow your heart to become filled up with all the fullness of His goodness! (Eph. 3:19)
Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 4:17-21
The Daily Dose 