THE DRAWING POWER OF GOD'S LOVE

[tomdurst]

THE DRAWING POWER OF GOD’S LOVE

The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 Amplified Bible

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke over their cheeks, and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them. Hosea 11:4 Amplified Bible

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:44 New Living Translation

And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself. John 12:32 Amplified Bible

Were it not for the drawing power of God's love NONE of us would ever come to saving faith. The rebellious, God avoiding part of our nature would keep us locked up in the bondage of suffering but God always takes the initiative. In many different ways He reveals His love to us--perhaps in nature, through another person, or just a "still small voice" from within creating in us a desire for something better and greater than this old world can offer.

I can think of so many times in my childhood years when I experienced a hunger for something I hadn't yet discovered. I didn't grow up attending any church or receiving specific religious instruction. My mother was backslidden from her church, and yet I often saw her reading her Bible, but I didn't have a clue about any specific beliefs nor what was in her Bible. However, God revealed His awesome love to me in a childhood vision and later on when I was turning 14 He led me to read a KJV Bible and Christian literature and my hungry soul was fed with rich morsels from the Lord's table. That process of inner fulfillment has never stopped and I thank God for His work in my life and for the ways I've seen Him work in the lives of others as well. I now have many wonderful Bible translations and all kinds of helps available and these have helped to expand my joy in the spiritual journey but at the beginning I only had a very plain KJV Bible with a few maps in the back and yet the hunger of my heart was still met. Obviously "the drawing power of God's love" was actively at work, creating life and fulfillment where only a feeling of emptiness existed before. God said "Let there be light and there was light" and His light never goes out. It is absolutely compelling and all consuming once you begin to taste it, even in a small amount. I praise His name for that.

Just open your heart to receive the revelations of God's love that come to you everyday--often in unexpected ways.


I invite you to read THE SECRET OF REAL LIFE AND ENERGY which is on the link below:

THE SECRET OF REAL LIFE AND ENERGY

[Bill]

Tom, I think the older we get the more focused we become on what's really important and most meaningful. We are in the process of eliminating from our lives lots of stuff, and we do the same with the spiritual "stuff" we've collected through the years in our maturing process. Jesus kept reminding his disciples as his time of departure was drawing near, to trust him, believe him. Because of his love for us that's what we do. There are lots of things we still don't understand, but we trust him because he has allowed us to experience his love. What more could we ask? Thanks for the article.

[mikepierson]

I Love this message Tom. It is sch a beautiful truth.And one when realized can end a lot of striving,and bring rest. Amen !!

[Karen]

Thank you Tom, your words have the comforting resonance of The Spirit. While we can argue about the fine lines of theology all day (and at times this has a place and is "fun" or instructive), the love of God and the peace of His presence for me are a place for comfort, a friendly loving place to be at one and a refuge from the business and clamor of the world. I know God as expanding joy and solace. Any thing else about Him his speculative. I try to remember that with our Lord there is more than plenty for all and when things get to much take to the water and retreat - on foot if necessary ! ( this appeals to the sailor my dad bred into me!)
Thank you for your words of wisdom, and am thankful to the Lord that there are strong men of God such as yourself who have the time and dedication to be present and available for us now.