Written by Calvonia Radford 2/14/2018
It is Valentine’s Day!
For some of you, it is a good day. Anticipated words of endearment and demonstrations of love will come to fruition.
For others it will be an isolated day of recognition. Just because the calendar tells him to.
In addition, for many, today is a dreary day. Filled with thoughts of “what if” and “when” or “never”.
The children of Israel must have had a plethora of emotions and thoughts on Valentine’s Day. (Do not send me emails; I know this holiday did not exist in their day)
These people, God’s beloved people had been to hell and back.
Given their valley type situations, were brought on by their own disobedience. Yet, the warm hugs and listening ears of their heavenly father seemed null and void. Just like some of our earthly relationships.
Just as Israel was on the verge of hopelessness, God steps in with a word in due season.
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23 KJV
Through the Prophet Jeremiah, God gave hope to the nation of Israel, telling them that he would deliver them from captivity and restore the whole nation to their own land. Then from his throne on heaven, God spoke these heartwarming words.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
Allow me to pick one word from this beautiful passage.
Lovingkindness
Did you notice that was one word? He did not say I was loving and kind to you. He said he drew them to him with lovingkindness.
In the original Greek text, the word ha-sed is used. Which means with covenant loyalty. This is deep! Let me unpack it for you.
God is a covenant keeper.
A covenant is much more than a contract. In the biblical days, when two or more people entered a covenant, they would sacrifice an animal and cut it into two pieces. They would then walk between that carcass, looking up toward God to say, “If we break this covenant, do unto us what we have done to this animal”.
What God was saying through the Prophet Jeremiah to his beloved nation was this.
My love for you is not temporary, manifested merely to a single generation, but it is an everlasting love, that will continue through all generations.
God’s everlasting love, which flows from his covenant loyalty, is unconditional. Remember, he is a covenant keeper. He cannot fail to do what he said he would do.
The apostle Paul stood confidently on God’s declaration of inseparable love in Romans 8:39.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
So today, if the thought of Valentine’s Day leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, remember God’s unfailing love for you.
I suggest you write the scriptures out and read them repeatedly until you digest them.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8 KJV
The bible is God’s love letter to us. It is the biggest Valentine Card on the market. It is not corny and it is beyond sentimental.
God’s words are life altering. His words heal broken hearts and give hope.
Happy Valentine’s Day my dear sister. I love you. However, God loves you more!
This post can also be found on these link-ups:
realtalk859 