“Pastor, I don’t know what to do. I am criticized at every turn I take. Nothing is ever good enough. In addition to that, I am called hurtful names. Joy and peace are sucked out of me every time we are together. I know the greater need is salvation, but there is a refusal to listen to the gospel. It is a 24/7 battle …and that’s just my mom!”
As a pastor, I have had opportunities to hear of the many relational hurts from other believers, extended families, and marriages. It often starts with poor communications and assumptions…or unmet / unrealistic expectations… or wrong rehearsing…or sinful choices. By themselves, each one seems to be not that big of a deal. Then emotional distance in the relationship begins to grow and problems start to show their face to one of the individuals in the relationship.
Sometimes communication takes place right here, the other person in the relationship listens and heeds to the concerns, and the relationship is back on track. However, many times no communication takes place or the communication efforts are not taken seriously, and problems intensify overnight. In short, those in long term relationships (marriage, friendships, co-workers, church family) can often begin to take the relationship for granted.
In our relationship with God, we can do the same things!
We can get too busy to spend time with Him daily.
We can think it is no big deal because what I am doing is what He commanded.
We can even become so focused on other good things that we begin to wander from Him.
What can I do strengthen my relationship with God and with others? We must rehearse the amazing love of God and live with such a love in view!
3 Demonstrations of God’s Love:
1. God Seeks the Lost (Luke 15:4, 8, 20)
“We love Him, but He first loved us.” Just stop for a moment and consider this: in my sinful state…God sought me. I wasn’t appealing. I wasn’t “basically good.” I was at enmity with God! (Romans 8:7)
We can tell the story hundreds of ways, but the end is always the same.
Perhaps it is picking teams, but no one wants to pick the guy who can’t hit the ball or catch it in the field…
Perhaps it is looking for a friend, but no one wants the guy who smells, or is handicapped, or is not in my class of people…
Or perhaps it is grocery shopping, but no one wants to choose the fruit that is too soft or the bread that is moldy…
You may say, “Of course I don’t want moldy bread!” Now, please don’t stop reading. I am not saying we need to buy moldy bread. But isn’t that what the Lord did with you and me. Right? When the Lord found you and me we were covered in the stench of sin, unappealing (“moldy”), and we had a lot of “special needs” – yet He still sought us in our state!
I could not find my way to God, but He sought me! (I John 4:10, 19) This is the amazing love of God…and He demonstrates this to you and me every day!
2. God Treasures the Found (Luke 15:5, 9, 20)
Look at each verse in Luke 15:5, 9, 20. Do you see how each item is sought after diligently and greatly treasured!
Scripture:
II Cor. 5:21 – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Jer. 31:3 – “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with loving kindness have I drawn thee….”
The story is told of a little girl who deeply treasured her Dollar Store pearl necklace. She loved it and wore it all the time. One night this little girl’s father tucked her into bed and asked her, “Sweetheart, do you love me?” The little girl exclaimed, “YES, Daddy! I love you!”
The father then surprised her with a question, “Would you be willing to give me your pearl necklace?” The little girl was stunned at the request. She offered a favored stuffed animal instead and plead with her Dad not ask for her necklace. The father told His precious little treasure that it was okay…he then pulled up the covers of her bed and said, “I love you, sweetheart.”
The next week, the same scenario played out in similar fashion as this Daddy was tucking his little treasure into bed. However, one night the girl had tears in her eyes. The Daddy asked if something was wrong. She said, “Nothing is wrong, Daddy…but I want you to have these.” He asked her if she was sure she wanted to give up her most treasured pearl necklace and she said yes. With tears in his eyes, he reached into his pocket pulled out a real strand of pearls to give to his sweet little girl.
You see, the father couldn’t give his child the very valuable gift until she was willing to surrender the necklace that had little to no value. This little girl thought she was paying a great cost…until she saw what her father intended for her all along!
What do we hold so closely that we refuse to surrender it to God? Have we assigned greater value to things of little worth? Does our view reflect God’s values?
The Lord didn’t half-heartedly provide SALVATION. The Lord didn’t half-heartedly SEEK YOU OUT…and the Lord doesn’t RESPOND TO US WITH DISDAIN once we come to Him – He treasures us!
3. God Rejoices in His Treasures (Luke 15:5, 10, 30)
This is God! He isn’t waiting for you to mess up so He can punish you. His heart grieves over your wanderings and He longs for your return! He has His arms extended with love, ready to receive the repentant. He is looking for you to come to Him. He wants to kill the best calf and rejoice in your return!!
God loves you so much He sought you. God loves you so much He treasures you. God loves you so much He rejoices in you as His treasure!
If you are reading this today and have not turned to the Lord for forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven – then I urge you to do so today. Click here to learn more!
If you are reading this today — and you have accepted God’s gift of salvation — may I ask you…do you keep a clear view of God’s love for YOU in sharp focus? Do you ignore the Lord, except when you ‘need’ Him? Oh, my friend, if that is so, then the Lord is good to make us needy. Our great God loves us, may we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.