Covered in His love
“I love the story that describes Peter when he stepped out of the boat onto the water. As he was walking toward the Lord on the stormy sea (what an incredible experience), he suddenly looked around and was seized with fear. Scripture says ‘Beginning to sink, he cried…‘ Did you get that? ‘Beginning to sink, he cried out.’ That provides a perfect reminder for what we must do when we find ourselves sinking. Don’t wait to cry out. Are you ready for some super encouraging news? When we openly acknowledge our condition before our God, He won’t reject us. Nor will He put us on probation and watch us squirm. On the contrary, we’ll find the Lord to be explicitly interested and compassionate, quick to forgive, I find that wonderfully inviting.” ~ Charles Swindoll ([1])
Jesus willingly went to the cross for us, taking our sins and cleansing us with His forgiveness. His love paid the price we could never pay. His love catches us by the hand and saves us. His love pours down and covers us with His grace-filled, unfailing love.
“Why did Jesus do that? There is only one answer. And that answer has one word. Love. And the love of Christ ‘bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things’ 1 Corinthians 13:7. Think about that for a moment. Drink from that for a moment. Drink deeply. Don’t just sip or nip. It’s time to gulp. It’s time to let his love cover all things in your life. All secrets. All hurts. All hours of evil, minutes of worry. The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things. Let it. Discover along with the psalmist ‘He… loads me with love and mercy.’ Psalm 103:4 “Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in his love. ‘Hey, where are you?’ someone asks. ‘In here, covered in love.’ Let his love cover all things. Do it for His sake. To the glory of His name. Do it for your sake. For the peace of your heart. And do it for their sake. For the people in your life. Let his love fall on you so yours can fall on them.” Max Lucado ([2])
“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NCV)
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” (Exodus 15:13)
[1] Charles Swindoll, Living Above The Level of Mediocrity, Guideposts, Carmel, NY, 247
[2] Max Lucado, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, pg 136