Eternal Love
This fourth week of Advent we have considered an Extravagant Love and an Expressive Love. As we come near the end of this Advent season and prepare to celebrate Christmas I want us to consider an Eternal Love. This love is an abiding love that does not change with the frequent ripples of temporal circumstances (Heb 13:8).
Charles Wesley, probably the most well-known hymn writer of all time. It was his common practice to take the tavern tunes of his day and set the Gospel message to an often sung tune. His hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” was sung to the tune of a pop song that spoke of England’s majesty and how the monarch excelled all other nations and governments. Wesley realized it was not England but God’s love that exceeds all other passions in life. And he set that love to a favorite tavern tune.
The hymn begins in declaration, “Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down”. This eternal love did not restrict itself to the courts of heaven. It came down to earth in the form of an infant child (Matt 1:21-23). God’s physical expression of eternal love traded the hymns of heaven for hay, he traded holding the stars of the galaxy for holding the gentle finger of a teenage mother. He took on flesh so you and I could experience this eternal love (1 John 4:16).
Why is it that this season is filled with singing. How many times do you recognize a Christmas song being played over the intercom in the stores? I dare say it is not because you mentally recognize it as a favorite tune, but because it has penetrated your heart. We enjoy these songs of hope, peace, and joy because we have been changed by His eternal love. Now we are God’s children because of His eternal love being lavished on you and me (1 John 3:1).
God’s eternal love is not a philosophy, something to be reasoned about, or a mere emotion that moves us to action. No, God’s eternal love is reality. It is a message that initially appears to be too good to be true. It is a message that is freely given to whosoever will respond. It is a message that reaches to the highest star and descends to the lowest hell. It is the love of God that exceeds all other earthly loves and passions. It is eternal!
My prayer for you this Advent season has not changed. I prayed from the beginning that you would be brought closer to the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is nothing that draws us closer than God’s eternal love. It is a love that is always inviting us to draw near (Matt 11:28-30). The promise is He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Oh what joy awaits the individual that receives this amazing gift which is freely given. Let us come and adore Him. Let us come and bow down (Psalm 100:2). Let us sing with Charles Wesley, “Love Divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down. Fix in us Thy humbling dwelling; all Thy mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art. Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.”
SCRIPTURES
Hebrews 13:8
Matthew 1:21-23
1 John 4:16
1 John 3:1
Matthew 11:28-30
James 4:8
Psalm 100:2
You are loved!
Rest in His Eternal Love!
Uncle Mike
Charles Wesley, probably the most well-known hymn writer of all time. It was his common practice to take the tavern tunes of his day and set the Gospel message to an often sung tune. His hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” was sung to the tune of a pop song that spoke of England’s majesty and how the monarch excelled all other nations and governments. Wesley realized it was not England but God’s love that exceeds all other passions in life. And he set that love to a favorite tavern tune.
The hymn begins in declaration, “Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down”. This eternal love did not restrict itself to the courts of heaven. It came down to earth in the form of an infant child (Matt 1:21-23). God’s physical expression of eternal love traded the hymns of heaven for hay, he traded holding the stars of the galaxy for holding the gentle finger of a teenage mother. He took on flesh so you and I could experience this eternal love (1 John 4:16).
Why is it that this season is filled with singing. How many times do you recognize a Christmas song being played over the intercom in the stores? I dare say it is not because you mentally recognize it as a favorite tune, but because it has penetrated your heart. We enjoy these songs of hope, peace, and joy because we have been changed by His eternal love. Now we are God’s children because of His eternal love being lavished on you and me (1 John 3:1).
God’s eternal love is not a philosophy, something to be reasoned about, or a mere emotion that moves us to action. No, God’s eternal love is reality. It is a message that initially appears to be too good to be true. It is a message that is freely given to whosoever will respond. It is a message that reaches to the highest star and descends to the lowest hell. It is the love of God that exceeds all other earthly loves and passions. It is eternal!
My prayer for you this Advent season has not changed. I prayed from the beginning that you would be brought closer to the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is nothing that draws us closer than God’s eternal love. It is a love that is always inviting us to draw near (Matt 11:28-30). The promise is He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Oh what joy awaits the individual that receives this amazing gift which is freely given. Let us come and adore Him. Let us come and bow down (Psalm 100:2). Let us sing with Charles Wesley, “Love Divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down. Fix in us Thy humbling dwelling; all Thy mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art. Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.”
SCRIPTURES
Hebrews 13:8
Matthew 1:21-23
1 John 4:16
1 John 3:1
Matthew 11:28-30
James 4:8
Psalm 100:2
You are loved!
Rest in His Eternal Love!
Uncle Mike
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