Fear Not (Part 13/30) – God's Love
“And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!’ So when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’” (Dan. 10:19)
Why should Daniel not be afraid here? Because God loved him! When I know that someone loves me, I am aware that this person means well to me, is prepared to make sacrifices for me, and is willing to stand by me unconditionally.
The daily awareness that the Lord loves us changes everything. Even when we don't feel loved or when we think that no one loves us, each of us can know: "God loves me." We read that our heavenly Father loves us as much as He loves His Son, the Lord Jesus (John 17:23), but this needs no explanation. It is inconceivable, incomprehensible, unimaginable. You could almost say: unbelievable! And yet we grasp it in faith!
Why does God love us? The simple answer is because He is love and cannot do otherwise. His love is unconditional, which means that it is not a reaction to something that would be lovable in us. If His love were dependent on something in us, such as our faithfulness to Him or our spiritual level, it would be fickle. However, since it is not tied to conditions, it is permanent and constant.
God once called out to His people: "It is not because you are more than all the nations that the LORD has loved you and chosen you, for you are the least of all the nations, but because of the LORD's love for you" (Deut 7:7, 8a). Why does the Lord love Israel? Because they had so many lovable qualities? No, certainly not. The simple truth is that He loves them because He loves them.
This is what constitutes "agape", divine love: It loves not only when the other person is lovable or attractive but always. It is completely selfless.
"Our feelings may come and go, but God's love for us remains constant." (unknown)
Do you live in the daily awareness that you are loved? This knowledge ensures that we are less afraid. John writes: “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a). John was indeed a person who lived his life in the bright, warm sunshine of God's love. When he wrote his gospel, he never referred to himself by name, but only wrote of himself as "the discipleDisciples are students and followers. Examples are disciples of the Lord (Mt 8:23), of John (Mt 11:2), and of the Pharisees (Mt 22:16). A disciple learns from his teacher, abides... More whom Jesus loved" (cf. John 13:21-25; 19:25, 26; 20:1-4; 21:4-7; 21:20). That was decisive for him!
John did what Judas expressed as follows: “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). This does not mean that we have to ensure that God's love for us remains intact. We cannot and do not need to do that. It means that we should live and rest in the awareness that we are loved!
This awareness drives out our fear. We are then more aware that the One who controls our lives and holds everything in His hands loves us! Watchman Nee says, "If we truly believe in the love and omnipotence of God, we don't need to be afraid that we won't get what He has intended for us."
"As soon as my soul rests in this love of God, there is no problem so great as to shake my confidence." (John N. Darby)
“Who shall separate us from the love of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More? Shall tribulationIn the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel,... More?” (Romans 8:35)
The Lord Jesus tells you today: "Don't be afraid! I love you unconditionally and unceasingly. I have clearly proven this to you through my death at Golgotha. If you rest in my love for you, your heart will be freer, and your fear will be less!"
