A Deeper Understanding Of The Love Of God

The other night my husband asked the question at a Bible study, ‘If you surrendered your life for God what would be the worst thing that could happen to you?’ And of course the obvious answer is, ‘To die’. Which is really not that bad if you think about it, because you get to go heaven – and what could be better than that?!

The worst thing that could happen to me

But anyway, it set me thinking, is that really the worst thing? Something far worse for me would be to see my children or husband suffer.

I read a book not too long ago called ‘Singing through the Night’, which I highly recommend. It contains stories of women in the persecuted church. I found it very hard to read and I wondered why. I had read other stories of people being persecuted and even tortured before, but this was a lot more difficult.

Then I realised it was because the stories I had read previously were either about men, or I had read them before I had a husband and children. The women in this book had husbands in jail and families tortured and killed.

It was so much harder for me to stomach because I now have my own family and it would be horrific to have to go through watching them suffer, because I love them so dearly.

God went through it

Today as this thought again occurred to me, suddenly I realised that God had to go through this – the worst thing I could think of to go through. He had to sit and watch His only Son being persecuted, mocked, whipped and then go through one of the worst deaths imaginable.

That made me come to a deeper understanding of God’s love for us, as I realised how watching my children suffer would probably be the worst thing that could happen to me – and He went through that for me.

In view of God’s mercy…

When we understand more of God’s love, how can we do anything else but desire to love and serve God with all of our heart. 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Rom 12:1.

We shouldn’t offer ourselves to God to earn His blessing, but because he has already blessed us, in view of the mercy He has shown us by giving His Son Jesus to die on the cross for us.

Here is a beautiful song that talks about God’s love for us:

Can you share anything that has brought God’s love and mercy home to you in a deeper way?

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4 Responses

  1. Brooke says:

    I’ve realized a fuller understanding of God’s love and mercy through spiritual warfare and have found that truly “God… comforts the downcast.” There’s something so sweet about this type of fellowship with Jesus. Thanks for the post- I really enjoy your godly encouragement, Rhoda!

  2. Rhoda says:

    Thank you for sharing, Brooke! I have also experienced God’s comforting love in hard times, like when he pops a Bible verse in your reading that is just what you need that day 🙂

  3. Susan Mc. says:

    I enjoyed reading some of your thoughtful post. The Lord bless you as you share the gospel in Wales!

    Looking Up, Susan

  4. Rhoda says:

    Thank you Susan 🙂